Question

How do we use momentum in everyday life?

Answer 1

Momentum:

1. It is the product of the mass of a particle and its velocity.
2. Momentum is a vector quantity. It has both magnitude and direction.
3. Newton's second law of motion states that the time rate of change of momentum is equal to the force acting on the particle.
4. From Newton's second law it follows that, if a constant force acts on a particle for a given time, the product of force and the time interval ( the impulse ) is equal to the change in momentum. Conversely, the momentum of a particle is a measure of the time required for a constant force to bring it to rest.

Some examples of momentum that are used in everyday life:

1. In a large truck, running on the highway ( even with a small velocity ) has a very high momentum because of its large mass.
2. An athlete running in a race with some velocity has momentum. Because an athlete running in the race is a mass in motion.
3. A tennis ball that hits on the racket with a high velocity has a smaller momentum ( because of its less mass ). So even if the player hits a tennis ball with less force, it will go a greater distance.
4. In a karate champion, that punch has enough momentum that it can break a brick or may injure someone's face.