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Momentum is described as a vector quantity. In which direction does the momentum vector point?
AOpposite to the object's velocity
BAlways straight downward, regardless of motion
CPerpendicular to the object's velocity
DThe same direction as the object's velocity
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. The same direction as the object's velocity
1. Momentum equals mass multiplied by velocity, and mass is always a positive scalar.
2. Multiplying a vector by a positive scalar does not change its direction.
3. The source confirms this: momentum is a vector having the same direction as the velocity.
4. It is never described as pointing downward regardless of motion, perpendicular to velocity, or opposite to velocity.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 8 "Linear Momentum and Collisions", section 8.1 Linear Momentum and Force_
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