THEORY:

Momentum is a vector quantity which is expressed as the product of the mass and the velocity of an
object.

momentum ( p ) =mv
Impulse can be defined as a change in momentum of the object. It is essentially the time-effect of a force.
Think about how a cricketer catches and slows down a ball by relaxing the arms rather than keeping them
rigid. The effect of applying this retarding force over a time interval changes the momentum of the ball
from its maximum value to zero.

impulse=force ×time
∆ p=Ft
This equation can also be expanded to give

m ( v−u )
∆ p=Ft= t=m ( v−u )=mv−mu
t
The impulse of an object under a constant force is calculated using these formulae. In the case of an
object under a varying force, a force-time graph can be used – such graphs can also be used to represent
constant forces. The area under a force-time graph is the impulse for the object.
The principle of conservation of momentum dictates that the total momentum before a collision is equal
to the total momentum after that collision, given that there are no external forces acting. A collision may
be elastic where kinetic energy is conserved or inelastic where kinetic energy is lost. Regardless of the
type of collision, momentum is conserved.