1. What is Impulse of Force?

Definition: Impulse is the product of the average force acting on an object and the time interval during which the force acts.

Purpose: It describes the effect of a force acting over time to change the momentum of an object.

2. How Does the Formula Work?

The formula is:

Where:

• \( J \) — Impulse (Newton-seconds, N s)
• \( F_{avg} \) — Average force (Newtons, N)
• \( \Delta t \) — Time interval (seconds, s)

Explanation: The longer a force acts or the stronger it is, the greater the impulse and resulting change in momentum.

3. Importance of Impulse

Details: Impulse is crucial in understanding collisions, safety mechanisms (like airbags), and sports techniques where force application time matters.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the average force in Newtons and the time interval in seconds. Both values must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is impulse related to momentum?
A: Impulse equals the change in momentum (J = Δp), according to the impulse-momentum theorem.

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

Q3: Why use average force in the formula?
A: Most real-world forces vary over time, so we use the average value for calculations.

Q4: How does impulse apply to car safety?
A: Safety features increase collision time (Δt) to reduce average force (F_avg) for the same impulse, protecting passengers.

Q5: Can impulse be negative?
A: Yes, when the force direction is opposite to the chosen positive direction, the impulse can be negative.