Which two variables determine momentum?

Momentum is defined as the product of mass and velocity. In physics, momentum is represented by the symbol ( p ) and can be expressed with the equation ( p = m \times v ), where ( m ) is mass and ( v ) is velocity. This relationship indicates that both the amount of matter in an object (mass) and the speed at which it is moving (velocity) directly affect the object's momentum.

In analyzing the other options:

• The combination of mass and force does not determine momentum directly. Force relates to momentum changes through Newton's second law (Force = change in momentum/time) but does not encapsulate the notion of momentum itself.

• Velocity and acceleration, though both are related to movement, do not determine momentum. Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity, and it is not a direct component in the momentum calculation.

• Lastly, mass and time also do not define momentum. While time might relate to how momentum changes (as in impulse), it is not a variable needed to calculate momentum.

Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes the direct relationship between mass and velocity in determining the momentum of an object.