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In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_mechanics classical mechanics], '''momentum''' (pl. momenta; SI unit kg·m/s, or, equivalently, N·s) is the product of the [[mass]] and [[velocity]] of an object (p = mv). It is sometimes referred to as linear momentum to distinguish it from the related subject of angular momentum. Linear momentum is a [[vector]] [[quantity]], since it has a direction as well as a magnitude. Angular momentum is a pseudovector quantity because it gains an additional sign flip under an improper rotation. The total momentum of any [[group]] of objects remains the same unless outside [[force]]s [[act]] on the objects (law of conservation of momentum).
In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_mechanics classical mechanics], '''momentum''' (pl. momenta; SI unit kg·m/s, or, equivalently, N·s) is the product of the [[mass]] and [[velocity]] of an object (p = mv). It is sometimes referred to as linear momentum to distinguish it from the related subject of angular momentum. Linear momentum is a [[vector]] [[quantity]], since it has a direction as well as a magnitude. Angular momentum is a pseudovector quantity because it gains an additional sign flip under an improper rotation. The total momentum of any [[group]] of objects remains the same unless outside [[force]]s [[act]] on the objects (law of conservation of momentum).
Momentum is a conserved quantity, meaning that the total momentum of any closed [[system]] (one not affected by external forces) cannot [[change]]. This law is also true in [[special relativity]].
<center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Momentum''''', follow [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Momentum this link].</center>
<center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Momentum''''', follow [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Momentum this link].</center>
==History of the concept==
==History of the concept==
Mōmentum was not merely the [[motion]], which was mōtus, but was the [[power]] residing in a moving object, captured by today's [[mathematical]] definitions. A mōtus, "[[movement]]", was a [[stage]] in any sort of [[change]],[1] while velocitas, "swiftness", captured only [[speed]]. The [[Romans]], handicapped by the limitations inherent in the Roman numeral system which lacks a [[symbol]] for [[zero]], took these [[ideas]] no further.
Mōmentum was not merely the [[motion]], which was mōtus, but was the [[power]] residing in a moving object, captured by today's [[mathematical]] definitions. A mōtus, "[[movement]]", was a [[stage]] in any sort of [[change]],[1] while velocitas, "swiftness", captured only [[speed]]. The [[Romans]], handicapped by the limitations inherent in the Roman numeral system which lacks a [[symbol]] for [[zero]], took these [[ideas]] no further.
