Question

Explain momentum with an example.

Answer 1

1. Momentum can be defined as the product of the mass (m) of an object and its velocity (v).
2. It is denoted by the letter ‘p’.
3. Mathematically momentum can be expressed as-
   $$\begin{gathered} \overrightarrow{p}=mv \\ Here\overrightarrow{p}=momentumoftheobject \\ m=massoftheobject\left(kg\right) \\ v=velocityoftheobject\left(m{s}^{-1}\right) \end{gathered}$$
4. Since velocity is a vector quantity therefore momentum is also a vector quantity.
5. The unit of momentum is kg-ms^-1.

Example of momentum-

1. A bullet fired at a wooden board can easily pass through it but a stone of the same mass as that of a bullet can not pass through it.
2. The high velocity of the bullet provides large momentum which causes damage.
3. On the other hand, a stone has less momentum as compared to a bullet.