What does momenta mean?
Momenta is the plural form of momentum and is used especially in physics to describe the vector products of mass and velocity associated with moving objects. When two objects collide, their total momentum is conserved in an isolated system: the momenta before and after the collision are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, even though each object's own momentum may change. The plural is also occasionally used for moments, which measure the turning effect of a force. In everyday English, however, momentums is the more usual plural, and momenta now carries a distinctly scientific or technical tone. Its Latin plural form has survived because it is both precise and familiar from classical and early modern scientific writing.
The plural of momentum, especially vector quantities equal in magnitude to an object's mass multiplied by its velocity.
"The particles exchange momenta without any loss of their total."
Chiefly used in mechanics; momentums is the more usual plural in general English.
The less common plural of moment, denoting quantities that measure a force's turning effect about a point or axis.
"Equal and opposite angular momenta act on the suspended disk."
This use is uncommon outside technical writing and overlaps with the usual plural moments.
This is the standard Latinate plural of momentum, especially in physics. The plural momentums is also possible and is more common outside technical writing.
"The colliding bodies exchanged equal and opposite momenta."
Give colliding objects opposite momenta and the result can be as precise as a billiard ball stopping dead.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does momenta come from?
Momenta derives from momentum, a term borrowed from Latin in which it means movement or an impetus toward action. Latin momentum comes from movere, “to move,” and momentum is therefore related to the same root as motion and moment. The English words moment and momentum entered separately but share this Latin ancestry.
Related word forms
How momenta is actually used
The plural is most common in technical and scientific writing. In general English, the plural of momentum is usually momentums, while momenta is especially associated with physics.
Easily confused with momenta
Momenta is the Latinate plural of momentum or moment, whereas moments is the ordinary plural of moment.