Conservation of Linear Momentum

Momentum, p, is just the product of mass and velocity, m v. Since v is a vector, so is momentum. We will examine situations in which we don’t have to worry to much about the direction.

Example: What is the momentum of a 2000 kg car with a velocity of 30 m/s? p = (2000 kg)(30 m/s) = 6 ? 104 kg m/s

Momentum, p, is just the product of mass and velocity, m v. Since v is a vector, so is momentum. We will examine situations in which we don’t have to worry to much about the direction.