How would falling into water make for a softer landing in terms of the definition of impulse (impulse being the product of force and the time interval during which the force acts. Impulse produces change in momentum. impulse = f * t)
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A 'softer' landing involves a smaller force. However an object stops moving it requires the same change in momentum .. which is provided by a force acting over a period of time. The change in momentum is equal to the force (F) times the time (t).
For a given change in momentum, the longer the time taken to bring an object to rest (the smaller it's deceleration) the smaller is the force applied during that time.
Falling into water enables an object to come to rest in a longer time (over a longer distance) than landing on a 'hard' surface .. incurring a smaller force.
For a given change in momentum, the longer the time taken to bring an object to rest (the smaller it's deceleration) the smaller is the force applied during that time.
Falling into water enables an object to come to rest in a longer time (over a longer distance) than landing on a 'hard' surface .. incurring a smaller force.