Impulse
The product of force and the time over which it acts: J = FΔt. Impulse equals the change in momentum: J = Δp = m(v - u). Impulse-momentum theorem states that the impulse on an object equals its change in momentum.
Formula
J = FΔt = Δp = m(v − u)
Real World
Formula 1 HANS devices extend the time over which a driver's head decelerates during a crash, reducing the peak force on the neck to survivable levels.
Exam Focus
On force–time graphs, impulse equals the area under the curve — calculate it using geometry (triangles/rectangles) rather than reading peak force alone.
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