Mechanics
Momentum
Momentum is mass times velocity, a conserved quantity.
Variables
pkg·m/s
Momentum
Linear momentum
mkg
Mass
Mass of object
Allowed values: 0 or more
vm/s
Velocity
Velocity of object
Derivation
Defined as p = mv. Newton wrote F = dp/dt.
Your notes
0/5000
Check value
Round inputs run through this page's calculator. Use it to test your own working or a rearranged form. It is a test case, not a real-world example.
- m = 2 kg (Mass)
- v = 3 m/s (Velocity)
Result: p = 6 kg·m/s
Other mechanics formulas with the same quantities
- Velocity (Kinematics) shares Velocity
- Drag Force (Dynamics) shares Velocity
- Kinetic Energy (Work & Energy) shares Velocity
- Power (Work & Energy) shares Velocity
- Rolling Kinetic Energy (Rotational Motion) shares Velocity
Where this formula is listed
- Mechanics formulas, under Momentum, alongside Elastic Collision (1D), Perfectly Inelastic Collision and Coefficient of Restitution.
- In the mechanics list it comes after Conservation of Mechanical Energy and before Impulse.
- Mechanics formula sheet, one of 58 formulas printed with symbol keys and SI units.
- The full formula index, grouped by category and topic.
Common questions
What is the Momentum formula?
Momentum is written p = mv. Momentum is mass times velocity, a conserved quantity. It belongs to Mechanics, under Momentum.
What are the units in p = mv?
In SI units, p is momentum, measured in kg·m/s; m is mass, measured in kg; v is velocity, measured in m/s.
How is the Momentum formula derived?
Defined as p = mv. Newton wrote F = dp/dt. The result is p = mv.