What is the product of mass and velocity called?

The product of mass and velocity is called momentum. In physics, momentum is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. It quantifies the motion of an object, calculated by multiplying the object's mass (how much matter it contains) by its velocity (the speed of the object in a specified direction). This relationship is fundamental in mechanics since it helps describe how objects interact in motion, especially during collisions.

In contrast, acceleration refers to the rate of change of velocity over time, while force represents an interaction that can change an object's motion, calculated through mass and acceleration (as articulated in Newton's second law of motion). Energy is a broader concept related to the capacity to perform work, which can exist in various forms (such as kinetic energy, the energy of motion, which is related but distinct from momentum). Each of these concepts plays a critical role in understanding the fundamental principles of physics, but momentous specifically links mass and velocity in the context of motion.