1. What is Impulse?

Impulse is a vector quantity that represents the change in momentum of an object when a force is applied over a time interval. It equals the product of the average force and the time duration of the force application.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the impulse-momentum theorem:

Where:

• \( \vec{I} \) — Impulse vector (kg·m/s)
• \( m \) — Mass of the object (kg)
• \( \vec{v_f} \) — Final velocity vector (m/s)
• \( \vec{v_i} \) — Initial velocity vector (m/s)

Explanation: The calculator computes the vector difference between final and initial velocities, then scales it by the mass to obtain the impulse vector.

3. Importance of Impulse Calculation

Details: Impulse calculations are crucial in physics and engineering for analyzing collisions, rocket propulsion, sports biomechanics, and any scenario involving forces acting over time.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and velocity components in meters per second. Positive x is typically rightward, positive y is upward in standard coordinate systems.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is impulse related to force?
A: Impulse equals the integral of force over time (J = ∫F dt). For constant force, it simplifies to J = F × Δt.

Q2: What are typical units for impulse?
A: The SI unit is newton-second (N·s) or kilogram-meter per second (kg·m/s), which are equivalent.

Q3: Can impulse be negative?
A: Yes, impulse components can be negative as it's a vector quantity, indicating direction opposite to the positive axis.

Q4: How does impulse relate to momentum?
A: Impulse equals the change in momentum (Δp) of an object, according to the impulse-momentum theorem.

Q5: What's the difference between impulse and impact?
A: Impulse is a precise physical quantity, while impact is a more general term describing a collision event.