In physics, P = MV represents linear momentum. It's a fundamental concept describing the quantity of motion an object possesses.
Understanding Linear Momentum
- P: Represents linear momentum (often measured in kg⋅m/s).
- M: Represents the mass of the object (usually in kilograms).
- V: Represents the velocity of the object (measured in meters per second; it's a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction).
The equation states that momentum is directly proportional to both mass and velocity. This means:
- A heavier object moving at the same speed as a lighter object will have greater momentum.
- An object moving faster will have greater momentum than the same object moving slower.
Examples
- A bowling ball (high mass) rolling down a lane has greater momentum than a tennis ball (low mass) traveling at the same speed.
- A car (given mass) traveling at 60 mph has greater momentum than the same car traveling at 30 mph.
Several sources confirm this definition: Linear Momentum and Force | Physics, Momentum - Wikipedia, 8.1 Linear Momentum, Force, and Impulse - Physics | OpenStax, and many others. These sources consistently define linear momentum as the product of mass and velocity. The formula p = mv is a concise mathematical representation of this fundamental concept. The Momentum Calculator (https://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/physics/momentum.php) further emphasizes this relationship by allowing users to calculate momentum using this very formula.
Distinction from Force
It's crucial to differentiate momentum (P = MV) from force (F = MA). While both involve mass, momentum describes the quantity of motion, whereas force describes the rate of change of momentum (Newton's second law). What is the difference between F=MA and P=MV? explains this distinction clearly.
