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Linear Momentum Equation:
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Linear momentum is a fundamental concept in physics that describes the quantity of motion of a moving body. It is defined as the product of an object's mass and its velocity, and is a vector quantity with both magnitude and direction.
The calculator uses the linear momentum equation:
Where:
Explanation: The momentum of an object increases with both its mass and velocity. A heavier object moving at the same speed will have greater momentum, as will a faster-moving object of the same mass.
Details: Linear momentum is conserved in isolated systems, making it crucial for analyzing collisions, explosions, and other physical interactions. It helps predict the outcomes of interactions between objects and is fundamental to Newton's laws of motion.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and velocity in meters per second. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the linear momentum in kg·m/s.
Q1: What is the difference between momentum and velocity?
A: Velocity describes only the speed and direction of motion, while momentum includes both velocity and mass, representing the "quantity of motion."
Q2: Why is momentum conserved in collisions?
A: Momentum conservation arises from Newton's third law - the total momentum before collision equals total momentum after collision in isolated systems.
Q3: Can momentum be negative?
A: Yes, since momentum is a vector quantity, it can be negative when the direction of motion is opposite to the chosen positive direction.
Q4: How does momentum relate to force?
A: Force equals the rate of change of momentum (F = Δp/Δt), as stated in Newton's second law.
Q5: What is impulse and how does it relate to momentum?
A: Impulse is the change in momentum and equals force multiplied by time (J = F × Δt = Δp).