Question

It is correct to say that impulse is equal toA) momentum.B) the change in momentum.C) the force multiplied by the distance the force acts.D) all of the aboveE) none of the above

Answer 1

Answer:

B) the change in momentum

Explanation:

Impulse is defined as the product between the force exerted on an object (F) and the contact time ($\Delta t$)

$I=F \Delta t$

Using Newton's second law (F = ma), we can rewrite the force as product of mass (m) and acceleration (a):

$I=(ma) \Delta t$

However, the acceleration is the ratio between the change in velocity ($\Delta v$) and the contact time ($\Delta t$): $a=\frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$, so the previous equation becomes

$I=m \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}\Delta t$

And by simplifying $\Delta t$,

$I=m \Delta v$

which corresponds to the change in momentum of the object.