1. What Is Mass Times Velocity?

Definition: The product of mass and velocity is called momentum (p), a fundamental quantity in physics that describes the motion of an object.

Purpose: Momentum helps us understand and predict how objects will interact during collisions and other dynamic situations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( p \) — Momentum (kg m/s)
• \( m \) — Mass of the object (kg)
• \( v \) — Velocity of the object (m/s)

Explanation: Momentum is directly proportional to both mass and velocity. Doubling either will double the momentum.

3. Importance of Momentum

Details: Momentum is conserved in closed systems, making it crucial for analyzing collisions, rocket propulsion, and many other physical phenomena.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the mass in kilograms and velocity in meters per second. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the units of momentum?
A: The standard SI unit is kilogram meters per second (kg m/s).

Q2: How is momentum different from kinetic energy?
A: Momentum is a vector quantity (has direction) while kinetic energy is scalar. Kinetic energy depends on velocity squared (\( \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \)).

Q3: What happens to momentum in a collision?
A: In a closed system with no external forces, total momentum is conserved before and after the collision.

Q4: Can momentum be negative?
A: Yes, since velocity can be negative (indicating direction), momentum can be negative too.

Q5: What's a practical example of momentum?
A: A heavy truck moving slowly can have the same momentum as a light bullet moving very fast.