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).

Answered by Madeleine N. Physics tutor

67660 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Describe how the control rods in a nuclear reactor are used to regulate nuclear fission in a nuclear reactor.


What is an atom?


What are the properties of electromagnetic waves?


A ball is dropped from a height of 20m. How long does it take for the ball to reach ground?


We're here to help

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