Impulse (physics)

Impulse in physics is like a really big and quick push or pull. Imagine you were playing with a toy car and you pushed it really hard for just a split second. That's an impulse!

Impulse is something that happens when a force acts on an object for a certain amount of time. The bigger the force, the bigger the impulse. The longer the force lasts, the bigger the impulse too!

When you throw a ball, you're applying an impulse. When you bounce a basketball, you're doing the same thing. In fact, anything that involves motion and force involves impulse.

One important thing to remember about impulse is that it always changes an object's momentum. Momentum is how much an object resists being stopped or changed in motion. So, when you apply an impulse to something, you're making it harder for it to be stopped or changed!