Impulse is the effect a force has when it acts over a period of time — it's exactly equal to the change in momentum an object experiences.
Impulse is the effect a force has when it acts over a period of time — it's exactly equal to the change in momentum an object experiences. A small force applied for a long time can deliver the same impulse as a large force applied briefly. This calculator finds impulse from force and the time interval it acts over.
A bat exerts 300 N on a ball for 0.02 seconds. Impulse = 300 × 0.02 = 6 N·s.
Impulse is the change in momentum of an object, calculated as force applied multiplied by the time over which it acts (J = FΔt).
Impulse equals the change in momentum, so J = Δp = m × Δv, connecting force-time interactions directly to velocity changes.
By extending the time over which a crash force is applied, airbags reduce the peak force for the same total impulse, lessening injury.