Impulse
Reference from the original Physics I textbook.
- Impulse
A change in momentum being caused by a force that occurs over a certain time interval.
- Related Glossary Terms
- Index
Glossary and deeper reading · 2 refreshers
These editorial refreshers supplement the reading. Definitions and examples are added guidance; original source wording and recorded answers remain in their original context.
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Impulse
Impulse is the change in linear momentum produced by a force over a time interval. It equals the signed vector area under a force-versus-time graph and is measured in newton-seconds. For example, a padded landing spreads the stopping impulse over more time, reducing the average force for the same momentum change.
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Linear momentum
Linear momentum is a vector describing an object’s motion and equals mass times velocity in the nonrelativistic model. The vector sum of momenta is conserved when the net external impulse on the system is zero. For example, two identical carts moving equally fast in opposite directions have zero total linear momentum but nonzero total kinetic energy.