Momentum Calculator

Momentum is the product of mass and velocity — it measures how hard it is to stop a moving object.

p = m × v

Where:

• p = momentum (kg·m/s)
• m = mass (kg)
• v = velocity (m/s)

Conservation of Momentum (collisions):

m₁v₁ + m₂v₂ = m₁v₁' + m₂v₂'

Elastic collision (objects bounce, kinetic energy conserved):

• v₁' = ((m₁ - m₂)v₁ + 2m₂v₂) / (m₁ + m₂)
• v₂' = ((m₂ - m₁)v₂ + 2m₁v₁) / (m₁ + m₂)

Inelastic collision (objects stick together):

• v' = (m₁v₁ + m₂v₂) / (m₁ + m₂)

Examples of momentum:

• Walking person (70 kg, 1.4 m/s): 98 kg·m/s
• Car at highway speed (1500 kg, 30 m/s): 45,000 kg·m/s
• Baseball pitch (0.145 kg, 40 m/s): 5.8 kg·m/s