momentum
moh-MEN-tum
/məˈmentəm/
The quantity of motion of a moving body, measured as a product of its mass and velocity.
In gymnastics, it is the 'swing' or 'drive' that allows an athlete to complete a rotation or a vault.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'momentum', which is a contraction of 'movimentum'. It originally meant 'a movement, a moving power, or a turning point'.
Word relationships
- impetus: Impetus is the force that starts a motion; momentum is the force that keeps it going.
- stagnation: A lack of movement or progress.
Commonly confused with
- inertia: Inertia is the tendency to stay still; momentum is the tendency of a moving object to keep moving.
Collocations
- gain momentum
- lose momentum
- forward momentum
Example sentences
- "The gymnast used the momentum from her run to power her vault." Physics of gymnastics
- "The campaign is gaining momentum as the election approaches." Politics
Memory hook
Momentum happens in a 'Moment' of 'Movement'. The power of moving.
When not to use
Don't use it to mean 'speed' alone; it requires the idea of 'force' or 'carrying through'.
Fun facts
- In physics, momentum is always conserved in a closed system, which is why gymnasts pull their arms in to spin faster.
Related words
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