Question

State whether momentum is a scalar or vector quantity.

Answer 1

Step 1: Momentum

1. Momentum is defined as the product of mass and velocity.
2. i.e. $p=m\times v$ where p is momentum, m is mass and v is velocity.
3. Thus, SI unit of momentum is $kgm{s}^{-1}$.

Step 2: Momentum is a scalar or vector quantity

Since momentum is a product of mass and velocity. As the velocity is a vector quantity and mass is a scalar quantity,

Thus, the product of mass and velocity is a vector quantity.

Hence, momentum is a vector quantity.