1.1 Momentum

1.1 Momentum

Definition:

Momentum is a measure of the motion of an object and is defined as the product of its mass and velocity. Mathematically, momentum (p) is expressed as:

p = m * v

where:
- m is the mass of the object (in kilograms).
- v is the velocity of the object (in meters per second).

Momentum is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. The direction of the momentum vector is the same as the direction of the object's velocity.

Physical Significance:

Momentum quantifies the amount of motion an object has. A larger mass or higher velocity results in greater momentum. Momentum is conserved in an isolated system, meaning the total momentum before and after any interaction remains constant, provided no external forces act on the system.

Example Problem:

A truck with a mass of 3000 kg is moving at a velocity of 15 m/s. What is its momentum?

Solution:

Using the formula p = m * v:
p = 3000 kg × 15 m/s = 45,000 kg·m/s
The momentum of the truck is 45,000 kg·m/s in the direction of the truck's motion.