Impulse (physics)


In classical mechanics, impulse is the change in momentum of an object. If the initial momentum of an object is, and a subsequent momentum is, the object has received an impulse :
Momentum is a vector quantity, so impulse is also a vector quantity:
Newton's [second law of motion] states that the rate of change of momentum of an object is equal to the resultant force acting on the object:
so the impulse delivered by a steady force acting for time is:
The impulse delivered by a varying force acting from time to is the integral of the force with respect to time:
The SI unit of impulse is the newton-second, and the dimensionally equivalent unit of momentum is the kilogram-metre per second. The corresponding English engineering unit is the pound-second, and in the British Gravitational System, the unit is the slug-foot per second.

Mathematical derivation in the case of an object of constant mass

Impulse produced from time to is defined to be
where is the resultant force applied from to.
From Newton's second law, force is related to momentum by
Therefore,
where is the change in linear momentum from time to. This is often called the impulse–momentum theorem.
As a result, an impulse may also be regarded as the change in momentum of an object to which a resultant force is applied. The impulse may be expressed in a simpler form when the mass is constant:
where
  • is the resultant force applied,
  • and are times when the impulse begins and ends, respectively,
  • is the mass of the object,
  • is the final velocity of the object at the end of the time interval, and
  • is the initial velocity of the object when the time interval begins.
Impulse has the same units and dimensions as momentum. In the International System of Units, these are . In English engineering units, they are .
The term "impulse" is also used to refer to a short-acting force or impact. This type of impulse is often idealized so that the change in momentum produced by the force is modelled as happening instantaneously. This sort of change is a step change, and is not physically possible. However, this is a useful model for computing the effects of ideal collisions. Additionally, in rocketry, the term "total impulse" is commonly used and is considered synonymous with the term "impulse".

Variable mass

The application of Newton's second law for variable mass allows impulse and momentum to be used as analysis tools for jet- or rocket-propelled vehicles. In the case of rockets, the impulse imparted can be normalized by unit of propellant expended, to create a performance parameter, specific impulse. This fact can be used to derive the Tsiolkovsky rocket equation, which relates the vehicle's propulsive change in velocity to the engine's specific impulse and the vehicle's propellant-mass ratio.