![]() Gravitation is a small force whose effects only becomes significant when applied over long periods of time. Modeling a force as impulsive is approximately valid when that dominates over all other forces and when that dominant force is only applied for a short period of time. People model forces as impulsive because doing so can make analysis much simpler. It's important to note that there is no such thing as an impulsive force, a force that instantaneously change momentum. Gravitation was negligible during the immediate contact. That's about four orders of magnitude smaller than the impact force. ![]() The gravitational force at the time of impact was about 2×10 16 newtons, directed downward. A force that large exerted over that a short of a period of time qualifies as "impulsive". The force needed to stop a 2 teraton object moving at 20 km/s is about 4×10 20 newtons, directed against the velocity vector. The collision stopped that impactor in about one tenth of a second. ![]() A number of other forces that completely overwhelm gravity are involved in a collision of heavenly bodies other than gravity.Ĭonsider the Chicxulub impactor, a roughly 2 teraton object that collided with the Earth at about 20 km/s. While gravity may have drawn the objects together, it plays a trivial role during the actual collision. ![]() When two heavenly objects collide then the force exerted on each of them during the time of impact is due to gravity, hence can it be termed as impulsive? Yes, but not in the circumstance you described. Can gravitational force be termed as impulsive in any case? ![]()
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