What is Momentum? Definition, Meaning & Example
The product of an object's mass and velocity, representing its quantity of motion.
TL;DR: The product of an object's mass and velocity, representing its quantity of motion.
Written & reviewed by the Syllab.in Academic Team (CBSE/NCERT subject experts) · Updated
Momentum: The product of an object's mass and velocity, representing its quantity of motion.
Explanation
Momentum is a vector quantity that indicates how difficult it is to stop a moving object. A heavier object or a faster-moving object has more momentum. In collisions, momentum is conserved, meaning the total momentum before collision equals the total momentum after collision. This principle explains why car crashes are more dangerous at higher speeds and why heavy vehicles cause more damage. Understanding momentum is crucial for safety features like airbags and seatbelts.
Example
A bowling ball moving at 10 m/s has more momentum than a baseball moving at 10 m/s because the bowling ball has greater mass. Therefore, the bowling ball is harder to stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the law of conservation of momentum?
In an isolated system with no external forces, the total momentum before an event equals the total momentum after the event.
Why does a moving truck cause more damage than a moving bicycle?
The truck has much greater mass, so even at the same speed, it has much greater momentum and carries more energy of motion.
More Physics Terms
🤖 Stuck on any of these? Ask Syllab's free AI Tutor to explain step by step →