What unit is impulse measured in in this sprinting context?

What unit is impulse measured in in this sprinting context?

• A. Newtons
• B. Coulombs
• C. Newtons-seconds
• D. Joules

Answer: (C)

Impulse is the product of force and the time over which that force acts, and it equals the change in momentum of the runner. In sprinting, the foot exerts a large force for a very short time, producing an impulse that changes the runner’s forward momentum. Because impulse = force × time, its units are Newtons times seconds, i.e., Newton-seconds. This also matches the momentum unit (kg·m/s), since impulse changes momentum. The other options don’t describe impulse: Newtons are just force, Coulombs are electric charge, and Joules are energy or work.

Impulse is the product of force and the time over which that force acts, and it equals the change in momentum of the runner. In sprinting, the foot exerts a large force for a very short time, producing an impulse that changes the runner’s forward momentum. Because impulse = force × time, its units are Newtons times seconds, i.e., Newton-seconds. This also matches the momentum unit (kg·m/s), since impulse changes momentum. The other options don’t describe impulse: Newtons are just force, Coulombs are electric charge, and Joules are energy or work.