impulse

A sudden strong wish to do something, often without thinking first.

• I bought it on impulse.
• He resisted the impulse to shout.
• Do you ever act on sudden impulses?

How to use it: an impulse to do something (I felt an impulse to call her.); on impulse (She bought the shoes on impulse.)

Similar words: urge, desire

Common phrases: on impulse, sudden impulse, resist an impulse, impulse to laugh

A sudden push or force that makes something move.

• A sudden impulse moved the ball.
• The first impulse sent the wheel spinning.
• Each blow gave the object another impulse.

Similar words: push, thrust

Common phrases: sudden impulse, give an impulse, initial impulse

The total effect of a force acting over time, measured by the change it causes in an object's momentum.

• Calculate the impulse during the collision.
• A longer contact time can increase the impulse.
• The impulse equals the change in the ball's momentum.

Common phrases: total impulse, calculate the impulse, impulse of force