Linear momentum is a property of moving objects that describes how difficult it is to stop the object or change its velocity. It is calculated as the product of an object's mass and velocity (p=mv), so it increases with greater mass or velocity. Momentum is a vector quantity that resists changes, and comparing the momentum of a car and motorcycle traveling at different speeds and masses shows that the car has more momentum even though it is moving slower due to its greater mass. Impulse is a measure of the change in an object's momentum caused by a force over time.

1. Linear Momentum
Linear Momentum

2. Momentum
From the Latin word Momenta
which means “movement” or
“moving power”.
The symbol for momentum is
‘p’’ which stands for ‘progress’.

3. Momentum is a property of
moving matter.
 Momentum describes the
tendency of objects to keep
going in the same direction
with the same speed.

5.  Momentum is a property of
moving mass that resists
changes in a moving object’s
velocity.
Momentum is a vector
quantity.

6.  The momentum of a moving
object is its mass multiplied by its
velocity.
 That means momentum
increases with both mass and
velocity.
Momentum p=mv
(kg m/sec)
Velocity
Mass (kg) (m/sec)

7. Comparing momentum
A car is traveling at a velocity of 13.5 m/sec (30 mph)
north on a straight road. The mass of the car is 1,300
kg. A motorcycle passes the car at a speed of 30
m/sec (67 mph). The motorcycle (with rider) has a
mass of 350 kg. Calculate and compare the
momentum of the car and motorcycle.
• You are asked for momentum.
• You are given masses and velocities.
• Use: p = m v
• Solve for car: p = (1,300 kg) (13.5 m/s) = 17,550 kg
m/s
• Solve for cycle: p = (350 kg) (30 m/s) = 10,500 kg m/s
– The car has more momentum even though it is going much
slower.

8.  The product of a force acts is called
the impulse.
 Impulse is a way to measure a
change in momentum because it is not
always possible to calculate force and
time individually since collisions
happen so fast.

9. To find the impulse, you rearrange the
momentum form of the second law.
Impulse (N•sec)
F∆ t=∆ p
Change in
momentum
(kg•m/sec)
Impulse can be expressed in
kg•m/sec (momentum units) or
in N•sec.