Momentum

• What is momentum?

  The product of mass and velocity
• What type of quantity is momentum?

  It is a vector quantity
• When does an elephant have momentum?

  When it begins to walk
• How does the speed of an elephant affect its momentum?

  The faster it walks, the larger its momentum
• What is the equation to calculate momentum?

  momentum = mass × velocity
• What is the symbol for momentum?

  p
• In what units is momentum measured?

  kilogram metres per second (kg m/s)
• How is mass measured in the momentum equation?

  In kilograms (kg)
• How is velocity measured in the momentum equation?

  In metres per second (m/s)
• What happens to momentum in a closed system during an event?

  It remains constant
• What is the total momentum of a cannon and cannon ball before firing?

  Zero
• What is the total momentum of the cannon and cannon ball after firing?

  Also zero
• How does momentum behave in collisions and explosions?

  • Momentum is conserved
  • Total momentum before equals total momentum after
  • Applies to both elastic and inelastic collisions