Momentum and impulse are two terms derived from the subject of physics. Many people face confusion with the fact that both these terms have the same meaning. But that is not the case at all. Instead, they are calculated in a different way using different formulas. Both these terms differ in characteristics and properties.
Momentum vs Impulse
The main difference between momentum and impulse is that the momentum is calculated by taking in the product of mass and velocity of a specific thing, and on the other hand, the impulse is calculated by an integral part of a force which is calculated over a specific period of time of specific thing.
Momentum is a term derived from classical mechanics, which comes under the subject of physics. The formula of momentum is mass into velocity (p=mv) p stands for momentum, m stands for mass, and v stands for velocity. Kg. m/s is the SI unit of momentum. There is a lot of depth and deep science if one defines momentum deeply.
Impulse is a term derived from classical mechanics, which comes under the subject of physics. The formula of impulse is (∆p=F∆t), where ∆p stands for change in momentum, F stands for applied force, and ∆t stands for elapsed time. Newton’s second (N.s) is the DI unit of impulse. The study of impulse goes deep down in science.
Comparison Table Between Momentum and Impulse
| Parameters of Comparison | Momentum | Impulse |
| Definition | The momentum is calculated by taking in the product of the mass and velocity of a specific thing. | An impulse is calculated by an integral part of a force calculated over a specific period of time of a specific thing. |
| Use | The formula of momentum is usually used to calculate the force which makes the act. | A formula of impulse is used to calculate when the force is required. |
| Formula | The formula of momentum is mass into velocity (p=mv) p stands for momentum, m stands for mass, and v stands for velocity. | The formula of impulse is ∆p=F∆t, where ∆p stands for change in momentum, F stands for applied force and ∆t stands for elapsed time. |
| SI unit | (Kg. m/s) kilogram per meter second is the SI unit of Momentum. | Newton second (N.s) is the SI unit of impulse. |
| Application | Momentum takes into account only the constant effects that occur from the force that acts on the system. | While calculating impulse, the effect of the force acting upon the system and the time are taken for which it acts are both into account. |
What is Momentum?
Momentum is a term derived from classical mechanics, which comes under the subject of physics. The formula of momentum is mass into velocity (p=mv) p stands for momentum, m stands for mass, and v stands for velocity. (Kg. m/s) kilogram per meter second is the SI unit of momentum. There is a lot of depth and deep science if one defines momentum.
Kinetic momentum is the basic and general form of momentum. Momentum plays a very important role in being used to calculate the instances related to the second law of Newton. This is possible because the force exerted is equal to the change in the momentum which is observed in that particular situation.
If there is more than one system to be calculated un momentum, one can calculate the momentum of these by calculating the momentum of the individual system of that particle and then add all of them together as vectors. The resulting vector is the momentum of all the particles in that system together.
What is Impulse?
Impulse is a term derived from classical mechanics, which comes under the subject of physics. The formula of impulse is ∆p=F∆t, where ∆p stands for change in momentum, F stands for applied force, and ∆t stands for elapsed time. Newton’s second (N.s) is the DI unit of impulse. The study of impulse goes deep down in science.
For the calculation of impulse, the value of the force is required. While calculating impulse, the effect of the force acting upon the system as well as the time is taken for which it acts are both into account. Another way of representing impulse is the change bought in the momentum of a body or group of bodies.
To conclude, an impulse is actually the concept that totally revolves under Newton’s second law. This method is used globally in the stream of physics. The actual meaning of impulse is basically a change In movement caused by something due to which something happened but, however, there is a vast explanation of impulse when it comes under scientific terms.
Main Differences Between Momentum and Impulse
- The momentum is calculated by taking in the product of mass and velocity of a specific thing, and on the other hand, an impulse is calculated by an integral part of a force which is calculated over a specific period of time of a specific thing.
- The formula of momentum is usually used to calculate the force which does the act, and on the other hand, a formula of impulse is used to calculate when the force is required.
- The formula of momentum is mass into velocity (p=mv) p stands for momentum, m stands for mass, and v stands for velocity, and on the other hand, the formula of impulse is ∆p=F∆t where ∆p stands for change in momentum, F stands for applied force and ∆t stands for elapsed time.
- (Kg. m/s) kilogram per meter second is the SI unit of Momentum, and on the other hand, Newton second (N.s) is the SI unit of impulse.
- Momentum takes into account only the constant effects that occur from the force that acts on the system, and on the other hand, While calculating impulse, the effect of the force acting upon the system as well as the time is taken for which it acts are both into account.
Conclusion
Momentum and impulse are two terms derived from the subject of physics. Many people face confusion with the fact that both these terms have the same meaning. But that is not the case at all. Both these terms are calculated in a different way using different formulas. Their definitions go real deep when it comes to an understanding of the concepts wide in physics terms.
Both these terms differ in characteristics and properties. This means that both momentum and impulse are based on the same second law of Newton’s but with completely different phenomena and formulas. One should have a clear understanding between them.
References
- https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/739/1/012060/meta
- https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/mechanicaldesign/article-abstract/114/1/180/429421