A tennis ball at 50 m/s is annoying. A truck at 50 m/s is deadly. Same speed, VERY different momentum. Momentum combines mass AND velocity — it's the "oomph" of moving objects. Here's the beautiful thing: momentum is ALWAYS conserved. In any collision or explosion, total momentum before = total momentum after. This lets us predict what happens when things crash, from snooker balls to cars to galaxies colliding!
This introduction covers The Unstoppable Truck within Momentum for GCSE Physics. Revise Momentum in Forces for GCSE Physics with 15 exam-style questions and 6 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 1 of 12 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Momentum
What is the equation for momentum?
Explain what is meant by saying momentum is a vector quantity.
Quick recall flashcards
Key Facts About Momentum
Unit: kg m/s (kilogram metres per second)
Key Facts About Momentum
Momentum is a VECTOR — has direction