* Momentum is a vector quantity: This means it has both magnitude (how much) and direction.
* Direction matters: The direction of momentum is the same as the direction of the object's velocity.
* Positive and negative: We often use a coordinate system to define directions (e.g., positive x-direction to the right). If an object is moving in the negative direction, its momentum will be negative.
Example:
* A car moving to the right (positive x-direction) has positive momentum.
* A car moving to the left (negative x-direction) has negative momentum.
Key Takeaway: Momentum is positive or negative depending on the direction of the object's motion relative to a chosen coordinate system.
