5.3.9

Momentum - Equation

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Momentum

The momentum of an object is its mass multiplied by its velocity.

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Equation for momentum

  • The equation for calculating momentum is:
    • p=mvp = mv
    • Momentum = mass × velocity
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Units

  • Momentum is measured in kg m/s.
  • Velocity is measured in m/s.
  • Mass is measured in kg.
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Conservation of momentum

  • The law of conservation of momentum says that momentum cannot be created or destroyed.
  • If two objects collide, the sum of momentum before the collision is equal to the sum of momentum after the collision.
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Conservation of momentum equation

  • The equation for the conservation of momentum is:
    • m1u1+m2u2=m1v1+m2v2m_1u_1 + m_2u_2 = m_1v_1 + m_2v_2
    • (Mass 1 × initial velocity 1) + (mass 2 × initial velocity 2) = (mass 1 × final velocity 1) + (mass 2 × final velocity 2)
  • In other words, the sum of the momentums of the two objects that are colliding will remain the same after they have collided.

Jump to other topics

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

4Atoms & Radiation

5Forces

5.1Basics of Motion

5.2Forces

5.3Effects of Forces

5.4Pressure

6Waves

7Magnetism

8Astrophysics

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