Momentum Calculator
Calculate linear momentum from mass and velocity.
How to Use the Momentum Calculator
Enter mass and velocity to calculate linear momentum.
Practical Example
A 1,500 kg car moving at 20 m/s has momentum of 30,000 kg·m/s.
Factors That Affect the Result
Direction matters because momentum is a vector quantity. Measurement accuracy and unit consistency also affect the calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What formula is used?
p = mv.
Can momentum be negative?
Yes, depending on the chosen direction.
What is the SI unit?
kg·m/s.
Momentum Depends on Mass and Velocity
Linear momentum is p = mv. It is a vector quantity, so direction matters even when a calculator reports magnitude. In collision problems, use a consistent sign convention and remember that momentum conservation applies to an isolated system, not necessarily to each object separately.