Impulse-Momentum Theorem
A person must know the mechanics of collisions. The laws of momentum and the first law (known as the change in impulse equation) govern collisions. In a collision, the body is subjected to a force for a specific amount of time, resulting in a change in momentum. The body either slows down, speeds up, or changes direction as a result of a force acting for a certain length of time.
In a collision, the item receives an impulse that is equivalent to a change in momentum. Consider a footballer who is sprinting down the field when he collides with a defensive back. The halfback’s pace and momentum change as a result of the contact.
The impulse-Momentum theorem aids in the understanding of these two concepts. The theorem simply asserts that the change in an object’s momentum is proportional to the amount of impulse applied to it.
The alternate formula of impulse is given as:
J = Δp = pf − pi
where,
Δp is the change in momentum
pf is the final momentum
pi is the initial momentumSince, mass of the object remains constant, it can also be given as:
J = m × (vf − vi)
where,
m is mass of the object
vf is the final velocity
vi is the initial velocity
Most importantly, the formula correlates impulse to the object’s change in momentum. In addition, impulse can be measured in kilogram meters per second (kg m/s) or Newton times seconds (Ns).
What is Impulse?
Impulse in Physics is defined as the force acting on the body for a very shorter period of time. It is the instant change in the momentum of the body. For example, in case of collision, the instant change in the momentum of the body just before and after the collision is called the Impulse acting on the body.
The damage sustained by the body is dependent on the impulse applied to the body. It is denoted using the letter ‘J’ and is calculated by taking the product of the force applied and the time for which the force is applied.
In this article, we will discuss the concept of Impulse, its formula, equations, and others in detail in this article.