How can momentum in jumping be increased during takeoff?

How can momentum in jumping be increased during takeoff?

• A. Decrease take-off velocity
• B. Increase take-off velocity or apply greater impulse
• C. Momentum changes only with mass
• D. Impulse is irrelevant to momentum

Answer: (B)

Momentum in a jump is determined by mass times velocity. Since your body mass is essentially constant during takeoff, increasing momentum means increasing the take-off velocity. You can also boost momentum by applying a larger impulse during the push-off, because impulse is the change in momentum and equals force times time. Pushing off with greater force or for a longer period raises the impulse, increases your velocity at liftoff, and thus increases your momentum. Decreasing take-off velocity would lower momentum, and impulse is the mechanism that changes momentum—not something irrelevant—so the key to more momentum is either higher take-off velocity or greater impulse.

Momentum in a jump is determined by mass times velocity. Since your body mass is essentially constant during takeoff, increasing momentum means increasing the take-off velocity. You can also boost momentum by applying a larger impulse during the push-off, because impulse is the change in momentum and equals force times time. Pushing off with greater force or for a longer period raises the impulse, increases your velocity at liftoff, and thus increases your momentum. Decreasing take-off velocity would lower momentum, and impulse is the mechanism that changes momentum—not something irrelevant—so the key to more momentum is either higher take-off velocity or greater impulse.