Is momentum a vector or a scalar quantity?

Momentum of an object is the product of its mass and velocity (p=m x v). Since mass is a scalar quantity and velocity is a vector quantity, we can derive that momentum must therefore be a vector quantity as the product of a vector with a scalar is a vector. We can also see that momentum is a vector quantity as a vector quantity is one that has both magnitude and direction. If we picture a car driving down the road with momentum p: the momentum of the car has both magnitude and direction (the direction of this momentum is the direction in which the car is traveling).

MN
Answered by Madeleine N. Physics tutor

73286 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How does an optical fibre transfer light?


Explain, in terms of pressure, how straws draw water into your mouth.


Describe the forces acting on an object on earth falling through the air, and how they change from when the object is first released into the air leading to terminal velocity.


What is cosmic microwave background, and where does it come from?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences