How does acceleration affect momentum?

1 Answer

According to Newton's second law:
If a body is acted upon by a force, the time rate of variation of the body's momentum equals the force.

This sentence seems a bit hostile if not interpreted, so i will try to make it clear.

To get started, let's state this two equations:
F = m.a -> Force equals mass times acceleration
Q = m.v -> Momentum equals mass times velocity

If a body is acted upon by a force,...:
This sentence is our hypothesis, which means this is the given condition of the body.

...the time rate of variation of the body's momentum...:
This sentence requires from us the concept of derivative, but if you have not had a course of calculus yet, do not worry.
Time rate of variation of the momentum is how Q behaves under the effects of time (if it increases or decreases as time passes).

...equals the force.
Let Q_t be the variation of Q in time:
Q_t = F -> Q_t = m.a
Then, the acceleration times the mass equals the variation of the body's momentum in time.

Example:
A sphere of mass m = 10kg moves in a gravitational field under a force F = 50N.
If it's velocity at t = 0s is 0m/s, find it's momentum at t=10s.

Solution:
Q = Q_0+t*Q_t -> Q_0 = 10kg * 0m/s -> Q = t*Q_t
Q_t = F -> Q = t*F -> Q = 10s*50N -> Q = 500N*s//

Hope it helps.