Dont panic impluse is the same thing. Impulse is acutally more correct as it takes into account the distrubution over time.
impulse = f * t
The method we used assumes an average force, but is a more simple explinations as it doesn't require calculus. Its still the force that does the hurting, impulse describes how the force acts better.
Eg. When we say that its force, we acutally mean impulse. But for someone who is unfamiliar with the concepts this caould be confusing. because what we are waying is tha tthe force is acting over the impact time.
Apple 1 KG, stops from 10m/s in 1 S.
Force = 10N
The impluse applied is 10(n) for 1(s) = 10NsUsing the rate of change of mumentum and time, we will still get a 10Ns impulse, but your method will describe the curve of how the force acts. The area unde rthe force-time curve will be the same in both incidences. So for example it would start and end at zero, curve and peak at 20N