Blast Through IGCSE Physics in 2026 – Ace Your Exam Adventure!

Momentum is defined as the product of an object's mass and its velocity, and any change in momentum is primarily caused by the application of a force. According to Newton's second law of motion, when a force acts on an object, it causes the object to accelerate, which in turn alters its velocity. Since momentum is directly tied to velocity, any acceleration of the object due to an external force results in a change in momentum.

For example, if a soccer ball is kicked, the force exerted by the foot changes the ball's speed and direction, thus changing its momentum. This relationship underscores how crucial force is in affecting momentum. Other factors, such as acceleration and mass, do play a role in determining the amount of momentum or the rate of change of momentum but are not the primary cause of changes in momentum themselves.