1. What is Impulse?

Impulse is a concept in physics that describes the change in momentum of an object when a force is applied over a time interval. It is equal to the product of force and the time duration for which it acts, or alternatively, the product of mass and change in velocity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses two equivalent formulas for impulse:

Where:

• \( Force \) — Applied force in newtons (N)
• \( Time \) — Duration of force application in seconds (s)
• \( Mass \) — Mass of the object in kilograms (kg)
• \( \Delta Velocity \) — Change in velocity in meters per second (m/s)

Explanation: These equations demonstrate the impulse-momentum theorem, showing that impulse equals the change in momentum of an object.

3. Importance of Impulse Calculation

Details: Impulse is crucial in analyzing collisions, rocket propulsion, sports mechanics, and safety engineering (like airbags and crumple zones in cars).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: You can calculate impulse by either:

• Entering Force and Time values
• OR entering Mass and ΔVelocity values

The calculator will compute the result using whichever pair of values you provide.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the units of impulse?
A: The SI unit of impulse is the newton-second (N·s), which is equivalent to kg·m/s.

Q2: How is impulse related to momentum?
A: Impulse equals the change in momentum (J = Δp). This is known as the impulse-momentum theorem.

Q3: Why is impulse important in collisions?
A: In collisions, impulse helps determine the forces involved and how they affect the objects' motion.

Q4: Can impulse be negative?
A: Yes, impulse can be negative if the force is applied in the opposite direction to the initial motion.

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