[tongzilla]

Originally Posted by tongzilla

First one: the definition of acceleration. Homer says: "A change in the product of Mass times Velocity" Fact: Mass times velocity = momentum Change in mass times velocity = change in momentum = impulse Base units for acceleration is meters per seconds squared, whereas base units for momentum and impulse is kilograms meters per second. They are two completely different concepts. So the definition is just plain wrong. I tried to make an excuse for Homer, but I couldn't find one! I hope somone can give me a good explanation for this! I want to think that I am the one who has this wrong, because I can't imagine Homer making such a basic mistake.

A moving body has momentum (mass times velocity). There will be no change in this momentum until an outside force is applied to the object.

An impulse describes how this change in momentum occurs, with the amount of force and the length of time it is applied determining the ultimate effect. And any such change in that momentum, i.e., a change in either mass or velocity, will result in the acceleration (or deceleration) of that moving body.

What you said is correct Yoda, but just because impulse results in an acceleration doesn't meant it is acceleration. The definition of acceleration given in the glossary is wrong. Which is bad IMO.

But fortunately, for golfing purposes, mass (I am talking about mass in the usual sense as in mass mass, not effective mass) is constant, therefore impulse and acceleration is one to one related.

Also, most people understand acceleration better than impulse so that's another reason.

But I hope they change that definition in the 7th edition, and add another definition for impulse. Impact physics is about impulse, not just acceleration.