What is the numerical value of the impulse stated?

What is the numerical value of the impulse stated?

• A. 230 Newton-seconds
• B. 230 Newtons
• C. 2300 Newton-seconds
• D. 23 Newton-seconds

Answer: (A)

Impulse is the change in momentum, so it carries the units of force times time: Newton-seconds. This comes from J = ∆p and J = ∫F dt; momentum has units of kg·m/s, and force times time converts to that same unit. In the problem, the given data yield a numerical value of 230 for the impulse, written as 230 Newton-seconds. That means the force acted for a certain duration to produce a momentum change of 230 kg·m/s. For example, if a force of 46 N acted for 5 seconds, the impulse would be 46 N × 5 s = 230 N·s. Numbers like 2300 N·s or 23 N·s would indicate a different amount of momentum change, while a value given in Newtons (without the seconds) would be a force, not the impulse. So the correct expression of the impulse here is 230 Newton-seconds.

Impulse is the change in momentum, so it carries the units of force times time: Newton-seconds. This comes from J = ∆p and J = ∫F dt; momentum has units of kg·m/s, and force times time converts to that same unit.

In the problem, the given data yield a numerical value of 230 for the impulse, written as 230 Newton-seconds. That means the force acted for a certain duration to produce a momentum change of 230 kg·m/s. For example, if a force of 46 N acted for 5 seconds, the impulse would be 46 N × 5 s = 230 N·s.

Numbers like 2300 N·s or 23 N·s would indicate a different amount of momentum change, while a value given in Newtons (without the seconds) would be a force, not the impulse. So the correct expression of the impulse here is 230 Newton-seconds.