Momentum Calculator
Calculate linear momentum from mass and velocity, with a signed result in kg·m/s.
Calculator Inputs
Mass in kilograms. Must be zero or a positive number.
Velocity in meters per second. May be negative, zero, or positive.
- Momentum (kg·m/s)
- 50.00
About these results
CalcSpectrum calculators produce automated estimates using established formulas and the specific values you enter. Because real-world outcomes depend on input accuracy, mathematical assumptions, and rounding conventions, please verify critical figures with an appropriately qualified financial, tax, medical, legal, or other professional, as relevant.
How It's Calculated
Formula
Linear momentum is the product of mass and velocity: a mass in kilograms multiplied by a velocity in meters per second gives momentum in kilogram meters per second (kg·m/s). Velocity is signed, so momentum takes the sign of the entered velocity: a negative velocity yields a negative momentum in the same direction. This is distinct from the Mass Calculator, which computes mass from density and volume and has no velocity input.
Worked Examples
5 kg at 10 m/s
- Momentum = 5 kg x 10 m/s = 50 kg·m/s.
5 kg at -10 m/s
- Momentum = 5 kg x -10 m/s = -50 kg·m/s. Negative momentum reflects the sign of the velocity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same as the Mass Calculator?
No. This calculator computes momentum from a mass and a velocity (p = m x v). The Mass Calculator instead computes mass from density and volume and does not take a velocity input.
Can velocity be negative?
Yes. Velocity is a signed finite number. A negative velocity produces a negative momentum, reflecting direction relative to whichever direction was treated as positive.
Can mass be zero?
Yes. A mass of zero is mathematically valid here and yields a momentum of zero for any velocity.
Can mass be negative?
No. Mass must be zero or a positive number; negative mass is not a physically valid input.