- mass - the greater the mass, the greater the momentum
- velocity - the faster the object is moving, the more momentum it has
Momentum is a physical property of an object by virtue of its mass and velocity (inertia in motion)
- p = mv
Units: kg • m/s or N • s
Vector quantity
CHANGE in momentum: Δp = mΔv
Impulse is the product of the force and the time interval over which the force acts
- FΔt = mΔv
Impulse-momentum theorem
The impulse exerted on an object is equal to the chance in the object's momentum.
The Law of Conservation of Momentum
Within a closed, isolated system (i.e. no outside forces), the total momentum will remain constant.
p[sub]A[/sub] + p[sub]B[/sub] + p[sub]C[/sub] + ... = p[sub]A[/sub]' + p[sub]B[/sub]' + p[sub]C[/sub]'
Types of Collisions - Momentum is conserved in all collisions
1. Elastic - the objects bounce off of one another
- "Perfectly elastic collision" - KE is also conserved
2. Inelastic - the objects stick together and move as one
3. Explosion - the opposite of inelastic collision