Work - Impulse Connection

Something just dawned on me and I wanted to write it down before I forget. Maybe this is already obvious to many people but it was a new realization for myself.

In physics I stress that Work is a transfer of energy in or out of a system. I don’t specifically invoke the “Work-Energy” theorem, as I really try to stress that work can be found by analyzing the transfers of energy. While W=dEk or W=dEg are useful, for students that are on the edge of complete understanding, these statements may confuse or cloud over a more foundational concept. In other words, it may provoke the question, “which equation do I use?” as opposed to “what models apply in this situation?”

Similar to energy, I have students work through Impulse results in a change of momentum. Here is the new connection for me though: Impulse as a transfer of momentum in or out of a system. Form this we can see a good analogy: work is a transfer of energy, impulse is a transfer of momentum. W=dE, I=dp

I think this would be a good idea to pursue with the students and something I will work into my lessons next year. I just need to figure out when to introduce W=dE