Momentum and Kinetic Energy
Most recent answer: 10/22/2007
Q:
Are momentum and kinetic energy the same thing?
- John Doe (age 99)
- John Doe (age 99)
A:
John- I’ve followed your work in many areas, especially the law, and am
a big fan. It’s nice to see that you’re still taking an active interest
in science at your advanced age.
Momentum and kinetic energy are entirely different things. Momentum is a VECTOR (points in some direction) with dimensions mass*length/time. Kinetic energy is a SCALAR (plain number) with dimensions mass*length^2/time^2.
There was some confusion a few hundred years ago about which of these was a better ’measure of motion’. We actually need both of them to get useful descriptions of most events.
Give our regards to Jane.
Mike W.
Momentum and kinetic energy are entirely different things. Momentum is a VECTOR (points in some direction) with dimensions mass*length/time. Kinetic energy is a SCALAR (plain number) with dimensions mass*length^2/time^2.
There was some confusion a few hundred years ago about which of these was a better ’measure of motion’. We actually need both of them to get useful descriptions of most events.
Give our regards to Jane.
Mike W.
(published on 10/22/2007)