Momentum-Force Equation
Reference from the original Physics I textbook.
- Momentum-Force Equation
Average net force: F⃗_avg = Δp⃗/Δt. Instantaneous net force: F⃗_net = dp⃗/dt.
- Related Glossary Terms
- Index
Chapter 4 - Introduction to Momentum
Chapter 4 - FFR - Kinetic Energy
Reviewed physics notes (1)
These corrections keep the original lesson’s purpose while fixing errors in the source edition.
- Finite momentum difference gives average force. — Reference 1
Glossary and deeper reading · 2 refreshers
These editorial refreshers supplement the reading. Definitions and examples are added guidance; original source wording and recorded answers remain in their original context.
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Linear momentum
Linear momentum is a vector describing an object’s motion and equals mass times velocity in the nonrelativistic model. The vector sum of momenta is conserved when the net external impulse on the system is zero. For example, two identical carts moving equally fast in opposite directions have zero total linear momentum but nonzero total kinetic energy.
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Force
A force describes an interaction that can change an object’s momentum. It is a vector measured in newtons, so both size and direction matter when forces are added. For example, a rope can pull a cart while the floor exerts friction in another direction.