Impulse Calculator (J = F·Δt)
Compute impulse from force and contact time, or use it to find the change in velocity for a given mass.
Result
Impulse
10.000 N·s
Same numeric value in kg·m/s — N·s and kg·m/s are equivalent units.
- Δp (change in momentum)10.000 kg·m/s
Step-by-step
- Impulse: J = F × Δt.
- J = 200 N × 0.05 s = 10.000 N·s.
How to use this calculator
- Pick a mode. "Impulse" computes J = F·t. "Δv" computes the velocity change a given impulse produces on a given mass.
- Enter the force in newtons and contact time in seconds.
- For Δv mode, also enter the object's mass.
- Read impulse (N·s) — equivalent to change in momentum (kg·m/s).
About this calculator
Impulse is the integral of force over time: how much push, multiplied by how long. For a constant force, J = F·Δt. The impulse-momentum theorem says impulse equals change in momentum, J = Δp, which has the practical consequence that you can change an object's velocity by either applying a large force briefly or a small force for longer. That is the engineering principle behind crumple zones, airbags, catcher's mitts, and even how you bend your knees when landing — extending the contact time reduces the peak force for the same Δp. Units: 1 N·s = 1 kg·m/s.
Frequently asked
They extend the time over which the body decelerates, lowering peak force for the same change in momentum. The Δp the body experiences is the same with or without an airbag, but spreading it over 100 ms instead of 10 ms drops peak force by 10×.
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