What is the difference between momentum and kinetic energy?

Can you explain the difference between momentum and kinetic energy?

Sure! Momentum is the product of an object's mass and its velocity, while kinetic energy is the energy an object has due to its motion.

So, does that mean they are the same thing?

Not exactly. While both relate to motion, momentum is a vector quantity (it has direction), and kinetic energy is a scalar quantity (it does not have direction).

Can you give me an example of each?

Of course! For momentum, think of a fast-moving truck; its momentum is significant due to its mass and speed. For kinetic energy, consider a baseball thrown at high speed; it has kinetic energy based on its mass and velocity.

How do they change when an object speeds up?

As an object speeds up, both its momentum and kinetic energy increase. However, kinetic energy increases with the square of the velocity, while momentum increases linearly.