I understand that they have two similar but different formula’s that both scale differently with velocity. I also understand that momentum has a direction ie. Vectored, and kinetic energy is directionless. What I can’t wrap my head around is how they are seperate properties with differing values and how it interacts with forces on an object.
For example, when an object collides with a wall, momentum drops to zero, the change in momentum requires the wall to exert force on the object and it involves some work done, and therefore energy. At the same time, the kinetic energy of the object is also released as heat(?)
In: 1
Momentum = m * v
Kinetic Energy = m * (v ^ 2) / 2
Momentum is a vector, Kinetic Energy is a scalar. This means you can have negative momentum, but not negative kinetic Energy.
Total momentum within a system is conserved, however total kinetic energy is not and can be converted to other forms of energy such as heat or potential energy.
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