Force is a pull or a push movement that can change the speed, direction, or shape of an object. Whereas momentum is the quantity that defines the magnitude of the motion with respect to the mass and velocity of the object. In this article, we discuss the 10 differences between force and momentum.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FORCE & MOMENTUM:
| Force | Momentum |
| Definition: Force is an interaction between two bodies that maintain or change the motion of the body | Definition: Momentum is the quantity of motion compounded by the quantity of matter moved and the velocity with which it moves. |
| Measuring unit: Newton | Measuring unit: Kg•m/s |
| Symbolic representation: F | Symbolic representation:p |
| Formula: F=ma | Formula:p=m × v |
| Nature of quantity: Vector quantity | Nature of quantity: Vector quantity |
| Types: There are two types of forces in nature: •Contact force: Forces that act on a body either directly or through a medium are called contact forces. They include:•Muscular force •Mechanical force •Frictional force •Non-contact force: Forces that act through spaces without making direct contact with the body are non-contact forces | Types: There are two types of momentum:•linear momentum: It is defined as the product of systems mass multiplied by velocity. p =mv •Angular momentum: It is a property of any rotating object given by moment of inertia times angular velocity. L⃗ = r × p⃗ |
| Examples: There are many forces observed in day-to-day life. •Gravitational force •Normal force •Frictional force •Air drag •Spring force •Thrust •Electric and magnetic force | Examples: •Train moving at speed of 110km/h •heavy truck moving •bullet fired from a gun. •ball flying in the air. |
| For stationary objects, a force can exist. | The momentum for the stationary object is always zero. |
| The direction of the force depends upon the acceleration. | The direction of momentum rest on the direction of velocity. |
| Force is inversely proportional to time. | Momentum is directly proportional to time. |
| An increase in time decreases force. | An increase in time increases momentum. |
