Physics Chapter on Momentum

Definition of Momentum

• Momentum is a measure of an object's motion.
• It's a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.
• Momentum is calculated as the product of an object's mass and its velocity.

Formula for Momentum

• The formula for momentum (p) is: p = mv
  • Where:
    • p represents momentum
    • m represents the mass of the object (in kilograms)
    • v represents the velocity of the object (in meters per second)

Units of Momentum

• The SI unit for momentum is kilogram-meters per second (kg⋅m/s).

Relationship Between Momentum and Velocity

• Momentum changes when velocity changes.
• If velocity increases, momentum increases proportionally.
• If velocity decreases, momentum decreases proportionally.
• If velocity reverses direction, momentum reverses direction.

Relationship Between Momentum and Mass

• Momentum changes when mass changes.
• If mass increases, momentum increases proportionally.
• If mass decreases, momentum decreases proportionally.

Importance of Momentum in Physics

• Momentum plays a crucial role in understanding and predicting the motion of objects and systems. It is a fundamental concept in classical mechanics, specifically in collisions.

Conservation of Momentum

• The total momentum of a closed system remains constant if no external forces act upon it. This is known as the conservation of momentum.
• In a collision between objects in a closed system, the total momentum before the collision equals the total momentum after the collision.
• This principle is fundamental in analyzing and solving problems involving collisions.