Impulse Calculator — J = FΔt

Impulse is the 'oomph' delivered by a force acting over time — a small force for a long time can equal a huge force for an instant. It equals the change in momentum.

How to interpret the result

Airbags work by stretching the collision time: the same momentum change (impulse) spread over longer Δt means a much smaller peak force on you.

Assumptions

• Force is the average over the contact time
• Motion along a straight line