Question

The total motion possessed by a body is called: ____.

• A. impulsive force
• B. mass
• C. weight
• D. momentum

Hint:

Think of momentum as "mass in motion." If an object is moving, it has momentum. To change that momentum, you must apply an Impulse (Force $\times$ Time).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Motion is not just about how fast an object is moving (velocity); it also depends on how much "stuff" is moving. A heavy truck moving at 10 mph has more "motion" than a bicycle moving at the same speed.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
The quantity of motion is mathematically defined as: \[ p = m \times v \] where $m$ is mass and $v$ is velocity.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Momentum is the term used in physics to describe the "total motion" or "quantity of motion" possessed by an object. It is a vector quantity that depends on both the mass and the velocity of the body. An object at rest has zero momentum. Because it includes both mass and speed, momentum tells us how difficult it will be to stop the object; a high-momentum object requires a significant force applied over time to be brought to a halt.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The total motion possessed by a body is called momentum.