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Momentum is defined as a vector quantity; this means that the direction matters. Only if it is defined as a vector quantity do you have something called "conservation of momentum", which makes it very interesting for physics.

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7y ago

velocity is a vector with speed and direction and momentum is mass times velocity. Since velocity is in opposite directions one is positive and the other is negative, moving the other way

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Q: When two object is move in opposite direction one will have positive and other have negative momentum why?
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Is the momentum of an object always positive?

Depending on how you define it. Momentum is always given positive units, but sometimes when considered in a relative view, it can be in a negative direction making the overall value negative too (while mass is always positive, velocity might be in a negative direction where e.g. two masses are moving in opposite directions).


How do you find the total momentum of 2 objects moving at the same speed in opposite directions?

(1) Decide on a direction that you will consider positive. (2) Calculate the momentum of the object that travels in the "positive" direction. (3) Calculate the momentum of the object that travels in the "negative" direction (the momentum should be negative). (4) Add both numbers algebraically.


What is the difference between positive and negative momentum?

The difference between positive and negative momentum is the direction that the object is going. Left and down are negative, right and up are positive. For example: if a ball is rolling to the left, it has a negative momentum.


Why two objects move in opposite direction one will have positive momentum and other negative momentum?

Quite simply, this means that momentum is a vector quantity; the direction is relevant. This is useful, for example, for calculations involving the conservation of momentum. Actually momentum is the product of velocity and mass, and velocity is also a vector quantity - thus, in this example, one object will have a positive velocity (more precisely: a positive component of the velocity along the x-axis, for example), the other, negative. Multiplying this velocity by the mass will also give a quantity which may be positive or negative (or rather, have positive or negative components).


Can momentum have a negative velocity?

No, momentum can not have a negative velocity. Velocity is the rate of motion of a body from one position to another position in a particular direction. Bodies traveling in opposite directions may appear to have a negative velocity in relationship to each other but any amount of velocity is positive.

Related questions

Is the momentum of an object always positive?

Depending on how you define it. Momentum is always given positive units, but sometimes when considered in a relative view, it can be in a negative direction making the overall value negative too (while mass is always positive, velocity might be in a negative direction where e.g. two masses are moving in opposite directions).


How do you find the total momentum of 2 objects moving at the same speed in opposite directions?

(1) Decide on a direction that you will consider positive. (2) Calculate the momentum of the object that travels in the "positive" direction. (3) Calculate the momentum of the object that travels in the "negative" direction (the momentum should be negative). (4) Add both numbers algebraically.


What is the difference between positive and negative momentum?

The difference between positive and negative momentum is the direction that the object is going. Left and down are negative, right and up are positive. For example: if a ball is rolling to the left, it has a negative momentum.


Why two objects move in opposite direction one will have positive momentum and other negative momentum?

Quite simply, this means that momentum is a vector quantity; the direction is relevant. This is useful, for example, for calculations involving the conservation of momentum. Actually momentum is the product of velocity and mass, and velocity is also a vector quantity - thus, in this example, one object will have a positive velocity (more precisely: a positive component of the velocity along the x-axis, for example), the other, negative. Multiplying this velocity by the mass will also give a quantity which may be positive or negative (or rather, have positive or negative components).


Is a net loss a negative or a positive?

You can consider any direction as positive, and the opposite direction as negative. However, in this case it is customary to call a gain "positive", and a loss "negative".


Can momentum have a negative velocity?

No, momentum can not have a negative velocity. Velocity is the rate of motion of a body from one position to another position in a particular direction. Bodies traveling in opposite directions may appear to have a negative velocity in relationship to each other but any amount of velocity is positive.


Can a speed of a body be negative?

The 'speed' of a body cannot be negative. But if you are stating the 'velocity' then it can be negative. Negative velocity means it is going opposite to the direction that you decided to call the positive direction.


What is meant by negative vector?

It is a vector that has the opposite direction to the reference positive direction. (A vector is one point in space relative to another.) Negative vector is the opposite direction


When does latitude become negative?

If you define one direction (for example, north) as positive, then the opposite direction is negative.


Is retardation positive or negative acceleration?

Retardation or deceleration is negative acceleration. It is opposite to the direction of velocity.


Why current flowing from positive to negative?

because current flows in the opposite direction of the flow of electron.since electrons are negatively charged particle they moves towards the positive and hence current flows in the opposite direction to the flow of electrons (that is from positive to negative)


If your speed changes from 10 kmh to 6 kmh you have a(n) acceleration. positive or negtive?

if your speed is in the positive direction you are slowing down and acceleration is the opposite direction and is negative acceleration.However if your speed is the negative direction ( like running backwards) and you slow down then acceleration is in the opposite direction and positive.In your case if speed is 10 kmh positive going to 6kmh then acceleration is negative