1
Select What to Calculate
Choose momentum, mass, or velocity from the first dropdown menu. The required input fields will adjust automatically.
Momentum Calculator
Calculate linear momentum, mass, or velocity using the standard physics formula. Select your units and get an accurate result instantly.
Calculate Linear Momentum
Choose the value you want to calculate and enter the known measurements.
Your Result Will Appear Here
Enter the known values, select their units, and click the calculate button to see the result and conversion details.
Momentum Result
Calculated in the standard SI unit.
Linear Momentum
0
kg·m/s
Mass
0 kg
Velocity
0 m/s
Momentum
0 kg·m/s
Kinetic Energy
0 J
Calculation
p = m × v
Instant Results
Calculations update in seconds
Multiple Units
Metric and imperial measurements
Private and Secure
Values remain in your browser
Simple Process
How to Use the Momentum Calculator
Calculate momentum or rearrange the formula to determine mass or velocity in three simple steps.
2
Enter Known Values
Provide the two known measurements and select the correct units for mass, velocity, or momentum.
3
Review the Result
Click calculate to view the answer, converted SI values, kinetic energy, and the equation used.
What Is Linear Momentum?
Linear momentum describes the quantity of motion carried by a moving object. It depends on both the mass of the object and its velocity. A heavier object has more momentum than a lighter object moving at the same velocity.
Similarly, increasing an object's velocity increases its momentum. Because velocity includes direction, momentum is a vector quantity. Its direction is the same as the direction of the object's velocity.
Momentum Formula
p = m × v
p represents momentum, m represents mass, and v represents velocity.
Momentum Formula Variations
- Momentum: p = m × v
- Mass: m = p ÷ v
- Velocity: v = p ÷ m
SI Unit of Momentum
The standard SI unit of momentum is kilogram-meter per second, written as kg·m/s. Momentum can also be expressed as newton-seconds, written as N·s. These two units are equivalent.
Reference Guide
Momentum Unit Conversion Table
The calculator converts all measurements to the standard SI system before completing the calculation.
| Measurement | Unit | Equivalent SI Value |
|---|---|---|
| Mass | 1 gram | 0.001 kilograms |
| Mass | 1 pound | 0.45359237 kilograms |
| Velocity | 1 kilometer/hour | 0.27777778 meters/second |
| Velocity | 1 mile/hour | 0.44704 meters/second |
| Velocity | 1 foot/second | 0.3048 meters/second |
| Momentum | 1 newton-second | 1 kilogram-meter/second |
Common Questions
Momentum Calculator FAQs
Learn more about momentum, mass, velocity, direction, and momentum units.
The linear momentum formula is p = m × v, where p is momentum, m is mass, and v is velocity.
The SI unit of momentum is kilogram-meter per second, written as kg·m/s. It is equivalent to a newton-second, or N·s.
Yes. A negative momentum value indicates that an object is moving in the direction defined as negative in the chosen coordinate system.
No. Momentum is calculated using p = mv, while kinetic energy is calculated using KE = ½mv². Momentum is a vector, but kinetic energy is a scalar quantity.
Divide momentum by velocity using m = p ÷ v. Velocity cannot be zero when calculating mass from momentum.
Divide momentum by mass using v = p ÷ m. The mass must be greater than zero for this calculation.
No. When velocity is zero, momentum is also zero because multiplying any mass by zero velocity produces zero momentum.