What is impulse?

The correct answer is I = force × time.

Key Points

• Impulse is defined as the product of force (F) and the time (t) for which the force acts on an object.
• It is mathematically represented as I = F × t, where I is the impulse.
• Impulse has the same units as momentum (kg·m/s) and can be used to change the momentum of an object.
• Impulse is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.
• In practical terms, impulse is often used to describe the effect of a force applied over a short time interval, such as in collisions.

Additional Information

• Momentum
  • Momentum is the product of the mass and velocity of an object.
  • It is given by the formula p = mv, where p is momentum, m is mass, and v is velocity.
  • Momentum is a conserved quantity in a closed system with no external forces.
• Newton's Second Law
  • Newton's second law states that the rate of change of momentum of an object is proportional to the applied force.
  • This law is often written as F = ma, where F is force, m is mass, and a is acceleration.
• Conservation of Momentum
  • The principle of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum of a closed system remains constant if no external forces act on it.
  • This principle is crucial in analyzing collisions and explosions.
• Applications of Impulse
  • Impulse is used in various fields such as sports (e.g., hitting a baseball), engineering (e.g., crash testing), and aerospace (e.g., rocket propulsion).
  • Understanding impulse helps in designing better safety mechanisms in vehicles, such as airbags and crumple zones.