Final Momentum Formula:
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Final momentum (pf) is the product of an object's mass and its final velocity. It's a vector quantity that describes the quantity of motion an object has at the end of a time period or after a force has been applied.
The calculator uses the momentum equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation shows that momentum is directly proportional to both mass and velocity. Doubling either quantity will double the momentum.
Details: Momentum is a fundamental concept in physics, crucial for understanding collisions, conservation laws, and motion analysis. It's conserved in isolated systems, making it valuable for predicting post-collision velocities.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and final velocity in meters per second. Both values must be valid (mass > 0).
Q1: What's the difference between momentum and velocity?
A: Velocity describes speed with direction, while momentum incorporates both velocity and mass, representing the "quantity of motion."
Q2: Is momentum a vector or scalar quantity?
A: Momentum is a vector quantity - it has both magnitude and direction (same as velocity).
Q3: What are typical units for momentum?
A: The standard SI unit is kg·m/s, but g·cm/s is also used in some contexts.
Q4: How is momentum conserved in collisions?
A: In closed systems, the total momentum before collision equals the total momentum after collision.
Q5: What's the relationship between force and momentum?
A: Force equals the rate of change of momentum (F = Δp/Δt), which is Newton's second law.