I don't get instantaneous impulse

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter atharba
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Force Impulse Momentum
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of instantaneous impulse as described in L. Bostock and S. Chandler's A-level mechanics book. It clarifies that impulse is defined as the change in momentum produced by a force, regardless of the duration of the force's application. The text emphasizes that this definition applies universally, not just in cases of instantaneous forces like a bat striking a ball. The confusion arises from the specific mention of instantaneous impulse, but the principle remains consistent across all types of impulse.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic mechanics concepts, particularly momentum.
  • Familiarity with the definition of impulse in physics.
  • Knowledge of force-time relationships in dynamics.
  • Ability to interpret physics textbooks and academic literature.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between force, time, and impulse in classical mechanics.
  • Explore examples of impulse in real-world scenarios, such as collisions.
  • Review the mathematical formulation of momentum and impulse.
  • Investigate advanced topics in dynamics, such as conservation of momentum.
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of impulse and momentum in physical systems.

atharba
Messages
4
Reaction score
1
I was reading this A-level mechanics book by L. Bostock and S. Chandler. The chapter was momentum and in it, there's a section about instantaneous impulse. It says "There are many occasions when a force acts for so short a time that the effect is instantaneous, example a bat striking a ball, in such cases, although the magnitude of the force and the time for which it acts may be unknown, there is, nevertheless, an instantaneous impulse whose value is equal to the change in momentum produced"

But since impulse is equal to "the change in momentum which it produces" then why did the book just specify that in that case the impulse is equal to the change in momentum? Shouldn't this be the case for all impulses and not just the instantaneous ones?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
atharba said:
then why did the book just specify that in that case the impulse is equal to the change in momentum?
It did not, it just said that the impulse is equal to the change in momentum in that case just as in any other case - even if you do not know the force or the time over which the force acts.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: atharba and topsquark
Orodruin said:
It did not, it just said that the impulse is equal to the change in momentum in that case just as in any other case - even if you do not know the force or the time over which the force acts.
Thanks a lot!!
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
4K
  • · Replies 60 ·
3
Replies
60
Views
6K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K