Linear impulse is the net force integrated over time and equals the change in linear momentum.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Read time
5 min
Prerequisites
Basic algebra, consistent units, and the stated model assumptions
Source
OpenStax, College Physics 2e, §8.2 (Paul Peter Urone and Roger Hinrichs)OpenFormulaGraph equation reference; FormuLab adaptation details and license are provided below.
Adapted from OpenFormulaGraph, under CC BY 4.0.
FormuLab adapted wording, notation, applicability conditions and topic placement, and expanded the numerical check into a worked example.
Linear impulse is the net force integrated over time and equals the change in linear momentum. The force-times-time form uses the average net force over that interval.
| Symbol | Meaning | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Signed linear impulse | ||
| Average net-force component | ||
| Duration of the force interval | ||
| Change in the same linear-momentum component |
Relate force duration to momentum change.
Estimate impulse from average net force.
An average net force of +10 N acts on an object for 2 s. Find the linear impulse.
OpenFormulaGraph equation reference; FormuLab adaptation details and license are provided below.
Adapted from OpenFormulaGraph, under CC BY 4.0.
FormuLab adapted wording, notation, applicability conditions and topic placement, and expanded the numerical check into a worked example.
Assumptions
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