Does Decreasing Final Velocity Increase Impulse?

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Decreasing final velocity (vf) does not guarantee a greater impulse, as impulse is defined as the change in momentum, which depends on both mass and velocity. If mass decreases alongside vf, the overall impulse may not increase. Additionally, the direction of motion is crucial; changing vf while altering direction can lead to a negative impulse, indicating a decrease in momentum. Thus, to determine if greater impulse is delivered, one must consider mass, final velocity, and direction of motion collectively. The relationship between these factors is essential for understanding impulse dynamics.
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If I decrease vf, will I deliver greater impulse?
 
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Look at the equation relating impulse and v_f and see what effect decreasing the final velocity has..
 


Decreasing vf (velocity final) does not necessarily guarantee delivering greater impulse. Impulse is defined as the change in momentum, which is calculated by multiplying the mass of an object by its velocity. So, decreasing vf alone may not result in a greater impulse if the mass of the object also decreases.

Additionally, the direction of the impulse also plays a crucial role. If the object's vf is decreased, but its direction of motion is also changed, the impulse may not necessarily increase. For example, if an object is moving with a velocity of 10 m/s towards the right and its vf is decreased to 5 m/s towards the left, the impulse will be negative, indicating a decrease in momentum.

Therefore, it is not solely dependent on decreasing vf, but also considering the mass and direction of motion of the object to determine if a greater impulse will be delivered.
 
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