Why do objects with greater mass have more momentum?

Objects with greater mass have more momentum because momentum is directly proportional to the mass of an object.

Momentum is a fundamental concept in physics, defined as the product of an object's mass and its velocity. In simpler terms, it is the quantity of motion an object has. The formula for momentum (p) is p = mv, where m represents the mass of the object and v represents its velocity. This means that if you increase the mass of an object while keeping its velocity constant, the momentum of the object will increase.

For instance, consider two cars, one small and one large, both moving at the same speed. The larger car has more mass, and therefore, according to the formula p = mv, it will have more momentum. This is why a lorry, despite moving at a slow speed, can cause a lot of damage in a collision. Its large mass gives it a high momentum.

It's also important to note that the direction of the momentum is the same as the direction of the velocity. So, an object with a large mass moving in a certain direction will have a large amount of momentum in that direction. This is why it's harder to stop or change the direction of a moving object with a large mass - you need to apply a greater force to overcome its momentum.

In conclusion, the mass of an object plays a crucial role in determining its momentum. The greater the mass, the greater the momentum, assuming the velocity remains constant. This principle is fundamental in understanding many phenomena in physics, from the motion of everyday objects to the movement of planets in the solar system.