How does impulse affect momentum?

1 Answer
Jul 29, 2015

Impulse is mathematically equal to the change in momentum which happens during the action of the impulsive force (the force causing impulse).

Explanation:

From Newton's second law,

#vec F = (dvecp)/dt#

#implies vecFdt = dvecp#
Integrating both sides,

#vecF int_(t""_0)^t dt = int_(p""_0)^p dvecp#

#implies vecF(t - t""_0) = vecp - vecp""_0#

By definition, impulse, #vecJ = vecF(t - t""_0)#

Thus, Impulse = Change in momentum