How does impulse relate to change in velocity?

Impulse is directly related to the change in velocity of an object, as it is the product of force and time.

Impulse, in physics, is a measure of the total effect of a force acting on a body for a period of time. It is calculated as the product of the force applied and the time interval over which it is applied. The unit of impulse is the Newton-second (N.s), which is equivalent to a kilogram-meter per second (kg.m/s). This is also the unit of momentum, which brings us to the relationship between impulse and change in velocity.

The principle of impulse and momentum states that the impulse on an object is equal to the change in its momentum. Momentum, in turn, is the product of the mass of an object and its velocity. Therefore, if the mass of the object remains constant (as is usually the case in physics problems), the change in momentum is directly related to the change in velocity.

This means that if a force is applied to an object for a certain amount of time, it will cause a change in the object's velocity. The greater the impulse, the greater the change in velocity. This is why, for example, a cricket player moves his hand backwards when catching a ball. By increasing the time over which the force is applied, the player reduces the change in velocity of the ball (and therefore the impulse), making the catch less painful.

In summary, impulse is a key concept in understanding how forces affect the motion of objects. It provides a direct link between the force applied to an object, the time over which it is applied, and the resulting change in velocity. This relationship is fundamental to many areas of physics, from basic mechanics to advanced topics such as collisions and explosions.