What is the difference between impulse and change in momentum

Momentum and impulse are two terms derived from the subject of physics. Many people face confusion with the fact that both these terms have the same meaning. But that is not the case at all. Instead, they are calculated in a different way using different formulas. Both these terms differ in characteristics and properties. The difference between momentum and impulse is that the momentum is calculated by taking in the product of mass and velocity of a specific thing, and on the other hand, the impulse is calculated by an integral part of a force which is calculated over a specific period of time of specific thing.

Momentum is a term derived from classical mechanics, which comes under the subject of physics. There is a lot of depth and deep science if one defines momentum deeply. Impulse is a term derived from classical mechanics, which comes under the subject of physics. It is defined as a product of force and time. Impulse can also be stated as the integral of force acting on an object with respect to time.

It basically changes the momentum of an object. Impulse can be easily understood by an example - a hammer strike defines a large force that acts for a very short period of time. Linear momentum is a product of mass and velocity. It is hard to stop a heavy vehicle in comparison to a light vehicle. This is due to the fact that the momentum of a heavy car is greater than a light vehicle, because of the car's mass. Momentum change depends on velocity change and the velocity change is greatest in case A as stated above.

The impulse is greatest in case A. Impulse equals momentum change and the momentum change is greatest in case A as stated above. In each case the initial velocity is the same. In case B, the object rebounds in the opposite direction with a greater speed than in case A.

Observe that each of the collisions above involve the rebound of a ball off a wall. Observe that the greater the rebound effect , the greater the acceleration, momentum change, and impulse.

A rebound is a special type of collision involving a direction change in addition to a speed change. The result of the direction change is a large velocity change. On occasions in a rebound collision, an object will maintain the same or nearly the same speed as it had before the collision. Collisions in which objects rebound with the same speed and thus, the same momentum and kinetic energy as they had prior to the collision are known as elastic collisions.

In general, elastic collisions are characterized by a large velocity change, a large momentum change, a large impulse, and a large force. Use the impulse-momentum change principle to fill in the blanks in the following rows of the table. As you do, keep these three major truths in mind:.

Force N. Time s. Mass kg. See Answer N. See Answer 0. See Answer 25 kg. There are a few observations that can be made in the above table that relate to the computational nature of the impulse-momentum change theorem.

First, observe that the answers in the table above reveal that the third and fourth columns are always equal; that is, the impulse is always equal to the momentum change. Observe also that if any two of the first three columns are known, then the remaining column can be computed. Knowing two of these three quantities allows us to compute the third quantity.

And finally, observe that knowing any two of the last three columns allows us to compute the remaining column.

There are also a few observations that can be made that relate to the qualitative nature of the impulse-momentum change theorem. An examination of rows 1 and 2 show that force and time are inversely proportional; for the same mass and velocity change, a tenfold increase in the time of impact corresponds to a tenfold decrease in the force of impact.

An examination of rows 1 and 3 show that mass and force are directly proportional; for the same time and velocity change, a fivefold increase in the mass corresponds to a fivefold increase in the force required to stop that mass. Finally, an examination of rows 3 and 4 illustrate that mass and velocity change are inversely proportional; for the same force and time, a twofold decrease in the mass corresponds to a twofold increase in the velocity change.

Express your understanding of the impulse-momentum change theorem by answering the following questions. Click the button to view the answers. Which cart 1 or 2 has the greatest acceleration? See Answer Cart 2 has the greatest acceleration. Recall that acceleration depends on force and mass.

They each have the same mass, yet cart 2 has the greater force. See Answer The impulse is the same for each cart. See Answer The momentum change is the same for each cart. Momentum change equals the impulse; if each cart has the same impulse, then it would follow that they have the same momentum change. In a physics demonstration, two identical balloons A and B are propelled across the room on horizontal guide wires.

The motion diagrams depicting the relative position of the balloons at time intervals of 0. See Answer Balloon B has the greatest acceleration. See Answer Balloon B has the greatest final velocity.

At the end of the diagram, the distance traveled in the last interval is greatest for Balloon B. See Answer Balloon B has the greatest momentum change. Since the final velocity is greatest for Balloon B, its velocity change is also the greatest. Momentum change depends on velocity change. The balloon with the greatest velocity change will have the greatest momentum change. See Answer Balloon B has the greatest impulse. Impulse is equal to momentum change. If balloon B has the greatest momentum change, then it must also have the greatest impulse.

Two cars of equal mass are traveling down Lake Avenue with equal velocities. They both come to a stop over different lengths of time.