Impulse of Force

The impulse of force is commonly used to calculate forces in collisions.

Active formula
Impulse = Average force x time = mass x change in velocity

Enter data below and then click on the desired quantity in the active formula above.

Impulse = FaverageΔt = mΔv

Impulse=N s
Favg=N
Δt =s
m=kg
Δv=m/s
Initial velocity vi=m/s
Final velocity vf=m/s

You may change the paramater values and then click on the active text of the quantity you wish to calculate. Values will not be forced to be consistent until you click on the text for some quantity to calculate.
Suggested exercises: explore the effect of initial and final velocities which are of opposite sign (i.e., a collision which reverses the direction of the motion). Note that increasing the time for the collision decreases the average impact force.


Minimizing impact forceAirplane and duck collisionBig truck, small truck collision
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Collision concepts
 
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