Impulse Calculator

Find the impulse on an object from either a force over time, or a change in its velocity.

Impulse (Change in Momentum)
200 N·s
or 200 kg·m/s
Time (s)Force (N)Impulse AreaFΔt

Impulse is the area under the Force vs Time graph.

How it was calculated

Formula:J = F × Δt
Calculation:J = 100 × 2
Final Result:200 N·s

About the Impulse Calculator

In physics, impulse tells you how much a force changes an object's momentum over time. Whether a tennis racket hits a ball for a fraction of a second, or a rocket engine fires for a minute, the overall effect is the impulse.

Mathematical Formula & Logic

Impulse from Force and Time J = F * delta_t - J = Impulse (N\cdot s) - F = Average Force (N) - delta_t = Time interval (s) Impulse-Momentum Theorem J = m * (v_final - v_initial) - J = Impulse (kg\cdot m/s) - m = Mass (kg) - v_final = Final Velocity (m/s) - v_initial = Initial Velocity (m/s)

Step-by-Step Example

A tennis racket applies 500 N of force for 0.05 seconds. The impulse is 500 × 0.05 = 25 N·s. A 1,000 kg car accelerates from 0 to 20 m/s. Its change in momentum (and the required impulse) is 1000 × (20 - 0) = 20,000 kg·m/s.

Reference Data & Values

forcetimeimpulse
10550
201020
510-10-100
10000.0011
0100

Frequently Asked Questions

The two main formulas are J = F × t (Force times time) and J = Δp = m(v_f - v_i) (Change in momentum).
Impulse is measured in Newton-seconds (N·s). Because impulse equals a change in momentum, it can also be correctly written as kilogram-meters per second (kg·m/s).
It states that the impulse applied to an object is exactly equal to its change in momentum. This is a direct consequence of Newton's Second Law of Motion.
In a crash, your change in momentum is fixed (you must stop). Airbags extend the *time* it takes you to stop. Since J = F × t, increasing the time drastically reduces the *force* applied to your body.
Yes, impulse is a vector. It has both magnitude and direction, and it points in the same direction as the average force applied.
Yes. If the force acts in the negative direction, or the object is slowing down (losing momentum), the impulse is negative.
If a ball stops, its velocity goes from V to 0 (change = V). If it bounces back perfectly, its velocity goes from V to -V (change = 2V). The bounce requires twice the impulse!
Specific impulse is a different concept used in aerospace engineering. It measures rocket engine efficiency (thrust per unit of propellant), usually measured in seconds, not N·s.