1. What is Vertical Impulse?

Vertical impulse is the product of mass and the change in vertical velocity. It represents the change in momentum in the vertical direction and is important in analyzing collisions, jumps, and other vertical motions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the vertical impulse equation:

Where:

• \( I_y \) — Vertical impulse (kg m/s)
• \( m \) — Mass of the object (kg)
• \( v_{fy} \) — Final vertical velocity (m/s)
• \( v_{iy} \) — Initial vertical velocity (m/s)

Explanation: The equation calculates the change in momentum in the vertical direction, which is equal to the net vertical force multiplied by the time interval over which it acts.

3. Importance of Impulse Calculation

Details: Calculating vertical impulse is crucial for understanding impacts, analyzing athletic performance (like jumps), and designing safety equipment to reduce impact forces.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and velocities in meters per second. Positive values typically indicate upward direction, negative values indicate downward direction.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: How is impulse related to force?
A: Impulse equals the average force multiplied by the time over which it acts (I = F × Δt).

Q3: What are typical units for impulse?
A: The SI unit is kg m/s (same as momentum), which is equivalent to a newton-second (N·s).

Q4: Why is vertical impulse important in sports?
A: It helps analyze jumping performance, as greater vertical impulse results in higher jumps.

Q5: How does impulse relate to safety?
A: Safety devices increase impact time to reduce force (same impulse over longer time means smaller force).