Impulse
Impulse
Describe impulse in terms of change of momentum
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Professor Dave explains Impulse and Momentum
Professor Dave explains Impulse and Momentum
To calculate impulse we look at the change in momentum which is equal to the Force x time of the collision
Δp = F x Δt
Δp = F x Δt
(Δp = p final - p initial )
(Δp = p final - p initial )
This can be represented on a graph by looking at Force vs time. The Area under the graph is the change in momentum or Impulse.
The graph above shows the force applied to a squash ball being hit by a racket.
In this case, the Area under the Graph is equal to F x t, the Impulse.
For a Collision with a fixed Change of Momentum, If the time of contact is increased, then the Maximum Force will be reduced.
Comparing these 2 graphs;
The area under the graph in each case is exactly the same, as the Δp is constant.
These two lines show 2 different squash balls. One is softer than the other. The softer ball increases the contact time and therefore decreases the force.
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