1. What is Impulse in Physics?

Impulse is the change in momentum of an object when a force is applied over a time interval. It is a vector quantity with both magnitude and direction, and can be calculated separately for horizontal and vertical components.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the impulse equations:

Where:

• \( I_x \) — Horizontal impulse (kg m/s)
• \( I_y \) — Vertical impulse (kg m/s)
• \( m \) — Mass of the object (kg)
• \( \Delta v_x \) — Change in horizontal velocity (m/s)
• \( \Delta v_y \) — Change in vertical velocity (m/s)

Explanation: The equations show that impulse equals mass multiplied by the change in velocity in each direction.

3. Importance of Impulse Calculation

Details: Calculating impulse is crucial for understanding collisions, rocket propulsion, sports mechanics, and any scenario where forces act over time to change an object's motion.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and velocity changes in meters per second. Positive values indicate direction to the right (x) or up (y), negative values indicate left (x) or down (y).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between impulse and momentum?
A: Momentum is mass times velocity (p = mv), while impulse is the change in momentum (J = Δp = mΔv).

Q2: How is impulse related to force?
A: Impulse equals force multiplied by time (J = FΔt), which is equivalent to change in momentum.

Q3: Why calculate horizontal and vertical components separately?
A: Motion in two dimensions can be analyzed independently in each direction using vector components.

Q4: What are typical units for impulse?
A: The SI unit is kg m/s (kilogram meter per second), equivalent to N s (newton second).

Q5: Can impulse be negative?
A: Yes, negative values indicate direction opposite to the chosen coordinate system's positive direction.