Understanding Momentum Qualitatively

[badmintondr]

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So does anyone have any suggestion/tip that can help me understand momentum more qualitatively?

I've looked at the graph for a while and it doesn't seem to click for me. Sigh..

Thanks

 

[loveoforganic]

What graph? Qualitatively, if something moves faster, it's harder to bring to a stop. Same deal if it's bigger.

 

[boaz]

I also always thought momentum is kinda abstract. Things like force, energy seem to be easier to understand qualitatively. But as long as you have the equations right (and how/where tehy apply) I guess you're fine.

 

[badmintondr]

As in the momentum graph, the one where it dictates all the situations regarding objects of equal mass, larger initial mass, smaller initial mass, differences elasticity, inelasticity, and partial elasticity and their resulting velocities

 

[kentavr]

Momentum is more fundamental then a force. It is a measure of inertia. It is always conserved for the system even if a mechanical energy transformed to heat, the momentum stays the same. In that aspect the momentum does not care what type of bodies interaction is: elastic or not elastic. It works in quantum mechanics and can be quantized, the force are not used there. It also plays its role in relativistic theory, but newton equations failed. The force is derivative from momentum and in classical physics it is F=dP/dt=d(mv)/dt=m*dv/dt+v*dm/dt. So as you can see the 2nd law of Newton takes only the first part where dv/dt=a. and F=ma. But momentum can also account for a mass change, which can happen for some other reasons. HTH