An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The vector → impulse of the → resultant force on a particle, in any time interval, is equal in magnitude and duration to the vector change in momentum of the particle:

∫F dt = mv₂ - mv₁.

The impulse-momentum principle finds its chief application in connection with forces of short duration, such as those arising in collisions or explosions. Such forces are called → impulsive forces.

See also: → impulse; → momentum; → principle.