Momentum Calculator

Momentum is the quantity of motion an object has, calculated as mass times velocity (p = mv). It's a vector quantity with both magnitude and direction. A heavy truck moving slowly can have the same momentum as a light car moving fast.

Momentum is conserved in isolated systems, making it crucial for analyzing collisions and explosions. The total momentum before equals the total momentum after any interaction, which helps solve complex motion problems.

Momentum is p = mv (linear with velocity), while kinetic energy is KE = ½mv² (quadratic with velocity). Momentum is always conserved in collisions, but kinetic energy is only conserved in elastic collisions.

Yes! Momentum has direction. Objects moving in opposite directions have opposite signs. If we define right as positive, an object moving left has negative momentum. The sign indicates direction.

Impulse is the change in momentum (Δp = FΔt). A force applied over time changes an object's momentum. This explains why airbags work - they increase collision time, reducing the force needed to stop you.

In any collision, total momentum before equals total momentum after (conservation of momentum). This applies to car crashes, billiard balls, and even atomic particles. It's one of the most fundamental laws in physics.