Momentum

• Momentum can be thought of as a combination of mass and velocity.
• Momentum helps explain some of the most important interactions in nature.
• Momentum is a quantity relating to a moving object that is calculated by multiplying its mass by its velocity.
• The product of mass and velocity is represented as p, measured in kilogram metres per second (kg m/s).
• Mass is measured in kilograms (kg) or grams (g).
• Velocity is measured in metres per second (m/s).
• An elephant has no momentum when it is standing still.
• When an elephant begins to walk, it will have momentum in the same direction as it is travelling.
• The faster an elephant walks, the larger its momentum will be.
• Momentum can be calculated using the equation: momentum = mass × velocity (p = m~v).
• The momentum of an ice skater can be calculated as: p = 60 × 15 = 900~kg~m/s.
• Conservation of momentum states that the total momentum before a collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision.
• Scalar and vector quantities are different types of quantities.
• Contact and non-contact forces are different types of forces.
• Gravity is a different type of force.
• Forces and elasticity are different types of concepts.
• Describing motion involves understanding different types of forces.
• Forces, acceleration and Newton's laws are different types of concepts.
• Sample exam questions on forces can be found on the AQA website.
• Related links to Combined Science include exam practice, jobs that use Science, BBC: Science and Environment, BBC Earth, and more.