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RadiationX
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I have an easy question about Impulse [tex]J[/tex]: Is it safer in a car crash to have a bigger impulse or a smaller impulse?
The only way to have a smaller impulse is to have a smaller change in velocity. Perhaps you mean: for a given crash impulse, or change in momentum, is it safer to have to have a longer or shorter duration for that impulse?RadiationX said:I have an easy question about Impulse [tex]J[/tex]: Is it safer in a car crash to have a bigger impulse or a smaller impulse?
Impulse is a physical quantity that measures the change in momentum of an object. It is defined as the product of force and time.
Impulse is directly proportional to force. This means that the greater the force applied to an object, the greater the impulse will be.
The unit of impulse is Newton-second (N*s) in the SI system and pound-second (lb*s) in the imperial system.
Impulse is calculated by multiplying the average force applied to an object by the time interval during which the force is applied. The formula for impulse is J = F * Δt.
One example of impulse is a car crash, where the force of impact and the time of impact determine the damage done to the car. Another example is a baseball being hit by a bat, where the force of the bat and the time of impact determine the speed and direction of the ball.