Which of the following best defines impulse?

Impulse is defined as the change in momentum of an object when a force is applied over a period of time. This relationship can be derived from Newton's second law, which states that force equals the rate of change of momentum. Therefore, when a constant force is applied for a certain duration, the impulse can be expressed mathematically as the integral of force over the time interval during which the force acts.

In essence, impulse provides a measure of how much and how quickly the momentum of an object changes due to the applied force. Since momentum is the product of mass and velocity, any change in either of these components—inferred through the application of force over time—results in an impulse, further validating that impulse and change in momentum are directly linked.

While the other choices touch on concepts related to force and energy, they do not capture the specific definition of impulse as accurately as the change in momentum does.