If an electron has mass $m$ and velocity $v$, what is its momentum $p$?

• A. $p=m^{2}v$
• B. $p=m+v$
• C. $p=mv$
• D. $p=\frac{m}{v}$

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that momentum (\( p \)) is a vector quantity defined as the product of an object's mass (\( m \)) and its velocity (\( v \)).
2. Recall the fundamental formula for linear momentum: \( p = m \times v \). This means you multiply the mass of the electron by its velocity to find the momentum.
3. Note that the other given expressions, such as \( p = m^2 v \), \( p = m + v \), or \( p = \frac{m}{v} \), do not correctly represent momentum because momentum depends linearly on both mass and velocity.
4. Write down the correct formula explicitly: \( p = m v \), where \( p \) is momentum, \( m \) is mass, and \( v \) is velocity.
5. To find the momentum of the electron, simply multiply its mass by its velocity using the formula \( p = m v \).