Impulse Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the impulse calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Formulas Used

Impulse

impulse = force * time

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
forceAverage Force(N)100
timeTime Duration(s)0.5

How It Works

Impulse

Impulse is the product of a force and the time interval over which it acts, equal to the change in momentum.

Formula

J = F * delta_t = delta_p

This is the impulse-momentum theorem.

Worked Example

A bat exerts an average force of 100 N on a ball for 0.5 seconds.

force = 100time = 0.5
  1. 01J = F * t
  2. 02J = 100 * 0.5
  3. 03J = 50 N·s

Ready to run the numbers?

Open Impulse Calculator