How to use the impulse and change in velocity calculator
Compute impulse from force and contact time and the resulting change in speed. Enter average force, contact time, mass in the fields above; the impulse, change in velocity are computed instantly and plotted on the chart so you can see how the answer changes.
Common searches this calculator answers include “impact force time”, “airbag”, “how long force acts”, “calculate impulse and change in velocity”, “find impulse”.
Formula
Variables
- F — Average force (N)
- dt — Contact time (s)
- m — Mass (kg)
Worked example
With average force = 800 N, contact time = 0.05 s, mass = 2 kg, the calculator gives impulse ≈ 40 N·s; change in velocity ≈ 20 m/s.
Frequently asked questions
What is the impulse and change in velocity calculator used for?
Compute impulse from force and contact time and the resulting change in speed. It helps with questions such as “impact force time”, “airbag”, “how long force acts”.
What is the formula for the impulse and change in velocity calculation?
Impulse (N·s) = F × dt. Change in velocity (m/s) = [Impulse] / m. Here F is average force (N), dt is contact time (s), m is mass (kg).
What inputs do I need for the impulse and change in velocity calculator?
You need average force in N, contact time in s, mass in kg. Each field is pre-filled with a typical example so you can see how the result responds as you edit the numbers.
How do I use the impulse and change in velocity calculator?
Type values into the input fields. Results and the chart update instantly. Use Reset to restore the example values, Copy results to paste them elsewhere, or Share to copy a link that preserves your inputs.
Is the impulse and change in velocity result exact?
Calculations use standard formulas and double-precision arithmetic, then display about seven significant figures. Real-world measurements carry uncertainty, so treat results as estimates unless your inputs are exact.