Grade 12 · Theory
Momentum
Momentum and impulse · about 3 min
Visual overview: MomentumMomentum measures how hard it is to stop a moving object, combining mass and velocity.
Key points- p = mv, measured in kg·m·s⁻¹.
- Momentum is a VECTOR — direction matters and sign convention is essential.
- A heavy slow object can carry the same momentum as a light fast one.
- Change in momentum: Δp = mvf − mvi.
- Momentum — the product of mass and velocity.
EXAM TIP
choose a positive direction and convert every velocity to that convention before calculating Δp.