Linear momentum is the vector quantity and defined as the product of the mass of an object, m, and its velocity, v. The letter 'p' is used to express it and used as momentum for short. Notice that the body's momentum always points in the same direction as its velocity vector. Momentum is a conserved quantity; that is to say that in isolation the total momentum of a system does not change. This means that momentum does not spontaneously appear or disappear. The units of linear momentum are kg m/s.

Formula 

The linear formula is given as, 

Where,

• p = momentum (in kg·m/s)

• m = mass of the object (in kg) 

• v = velocity of the object (in m/s)

Solved Problems

Problem 1: Determine the linear momentum of a body whose mass is 10kg moving with a speed of 20m/s.

Solution:

The parameters given are,

m = 10 kg

v = 20m/s

Linear momentum formula is written as,

P = mv  

p = 10 x 20  

p = 200 kgm/s  

Problem 2: Momentum of bodyis given  40 kg m/s and Mass of the body is 5kg. Determine the velocity of the body.

Solution:

Given parameters are,

m = 5 kg  P = 40 kg m / s  

Linear momentum formula is given by,

P = mv   

v = P / m   

v = 40 / 5   

v = 8 m/s

 

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