Impulse

Question 1

What is Impulse

Answer 1

Impulse is equal to the change in momentum of an object

Question 2

What is the formula for impulse?

Answer 2

Impulse = Force x Time

Question 3

What are the two types of impulse scenarios that can be observed?

Answer 3

• Impulse where momentum is increased
• Impulse where momentum is decreased

Question 4

When the impulse is great, what happens to momentum?

Answer 4

A greater momentum is generated.

Question 5

When throwing and catching a ball, who controls the impulse?

Answer 5

The person throwing the ball
* They can manipulate the force or time to produce a smaller and greater impulse.

Question 6

If a person wants to increase the impulse, how can this be achieved?

Answer 6

They can:
* Increase the force applied (use greater mass or accelerate faster)
* Increase the time that force is applied
* Increase both shown above

A push pass in hockey shows how both factors are increased

Question 7

When a person is catching a ball, describe how they have a set impulse

Answer 7

• Impulse has already been set by whoever threw/hit the ball
• Thus catcher has a set impulse to produce to stop ball’s momentum
• They have no control to decrease or increase the impulse

Question 8

Describe situations where an athlete wants to increase impulse, but cannot manipulate time component

Answer 8

• Hitting a ball with a bat/stick.
• Duration of contact between bat and ball cannot be manipulated.
• Thus, a greater force instead must be produced to increase impulse.
• Greater force can be generated through using bat with greater mass or accelerating faster or both.

Question 9

Describe the benefit of spinning/rotating techniques in throwing events, in regards to increasing impulse

Answer 9

• Spinning/rotating increases the time that the force is applied (time component)
• Thus impulse is increased.

Question 10

When landing/catching/bracing, can impulse be decreased or increased?

Answer 10

Neither, impulse is set in these situations.

Question 11

When landing, an athlete bends their knees, which enables what?

Answer 11

• Reduced risk of injury
• Safer and more effective landing

Question 12

How does an athlete bending their knees/withdrawing their hands while catching affect impulse?

Answer 12

• It affects the force time relationship (no effect on impulse, impulse is set)
• By increasing the time that force is applied (time component), impact force is decreased.
• The reduced impact force felt at any given moment reduces risk of injury.