🎳 Momentum Calculator (p = mv)
Find momentum from mass and velocity (p = mv), or solve for mass or velocity.
Momentum p
30 kg·m/s
Momentum p = m·v. Impulse J = F·Δt equals the change in momentum (J = Δp). 🔒 Computed in your browser.
How the momentum calculator (p = mv) works
Linear momentum is p = mv, the product of mass and velocity. Enter any two of momentum, mass and velocity and the tool solves for the third. Impulse (force × time) equals the change in momentum.
Momentum is conserved in collisions, which is why it matters. Impulse J = FΔt = Δp connects a force acting over time to the momentum change.
Frequently asked questions
What is momentum?
Momentum p = mv is mass times velocity — a measure of how hard it is to stop a moving object. It is a vector (has direction) and its SI unit is kg·m/s.
How do I calculate momentum?
Multiply mass by velocity: a 2 kg object at 15 m/s has p = 30 kg·m/s. Enter mass and velocity to compute it.
What is impulse?
Impulse is force times the time it acts, J = FΔt, and it equals the change in momentum (J = Δp = m(v − u)). A small force over a long time can produce the same impulse as a large force briefly.
Is momentum conserved?
In an isolated system (no external net force), total momentum is conserved — the basis for analysing collisions and explosions.
What is the difference between momentum and kinetic energy?
Both depend on mass and velocity, but momentum (mv) is a vector conserved in all collisions, while kinetic energy (½mv²) is a scalar conserved only in elastic collisions.