Final answer:
The statement is false; momentum is the quantity of motion of a body and is different from the ability to do work, which involves energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that momentum is the ability to do work is false. Momentum, a central concept in physics, refers to the quantity of motion of a body and is a product of an object's mass and velocity. It is conserved in a closed system where the net external force is zero, making it crucial for analyzing collisions and understanding motion. The ability to do work, on the other hand, is more closely related to energy, specifically kinetic energy in the context of movement.
Newton's second law of motion illustrates the relationship between force and momentum, showing that a force is necessary to change an object's momentum. The broad relevance of momentum spans from classical Newtonian mechanics to modern physics, including the study of relativistic particles and subatomic structure.
This law is expressed in the Law of Conservation of Momentum, one of the foundational principles in physics. Contrary to the statement, momentum should not be confused with the ability to do work, although both are pivotal in the study of physics.