Impulse Calculator
Impulse is the push that changes how fast something moves. It is the force on an object multiplied by the time that force acts, and it equals the change in the object's momentum.
Pick the pair of numbers you have, and the answer follows.
- Free
- Works offline after your first visit
- Saves on this device
- No sign-up
- Updated
How it works
If you know the force and how long it acts, multiply them. The result is in newton-seconds, whichever units you typed the force in.
If you know the mass and how much its speed changes, multiply the mass by that change in speed. The answer is the same kind of number, because impulse and momentum change together.
Worked example
A force of 50 lbf acting for 2 s gives an impulse of 444.8 newton-seconds.
Questions
What unit is impulse in?
Newton-seconds, which is the same as kilogram metres per second. In pounds it is pound-force seconds, and this page shows the metric figure.
Does a bigger impulse always mean a bigger speed change?
For one object, yes. The change in momentum equals the impulse, so a larger impulse changes the speed more, unless the object is also heavier.
Why does the length of a push matter?
The same force acting for a longer time gives a bigger impulse. That is why a cushioned stop spreads the force over more time.
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