Linear momentum

Definition

For a single body in pure translation

The linear momentum of a body is the vector $m\overline{v}$, where $m$ is the mass of the body and $\overline{v}$ is the velocity of the body.

For a system of bodies, each in pure translation

The linear momentum of a system is the sum of the linear momenta of all the bodies in that system. If the system comprises $n$ bodies with masses $m_1,m_2,\dots ,m_n$ respectively and velocities ${\overline{v}}_1,{\overline{v}}_2,\dots ,{\overline{v}}_n$ respectively, the total linear momentum is given by:

$\sum _{i=1}^n{m}_i{\overline{v}}_i$

This is a vector summation.

For a single body undergoing motion that is not purely translation

In this case, we integrate the velocity vector over a mass differential:

$\int \overline{v}dm$

This is equivalent to integrating the product of velocity and density over a volume differential:

$\int \overline{v}\rho dV$

Units and dimensions

|{ class="sortable" border="1" ! Question !! Answer |- | Scalar or vector? || Vector |- | Instantaneous or time-cumulative || Instantaneous |- | MLT dimensions || $ML{T}^{-1}$: MLT;1;1;-1 (same as those of impulse) |- | SI units || $kgm/s$ (kilograms meter per second) or $N-s$ (Newton-second) |}