Final answer:
Impulse is the product of the force and time interval during which the force acts. Michael Scott's impulse when hitting cardboard boxes can be calculated if his velocity before impact was known. To determine his exact impulse, more information is required.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Michael Scott, who weighs 790 newtons, falls off a building and comes to a stop in 0.25 seconds, the impulse he experienced can be found using the impulse-momentum theorem. Impulse equals the change in momentum (mass times change in velocity) of an object when it is acted upon by a force over a certain time interval. In Michael's case, we first need to determine his momentum before impact, which depends on his weight (force due to gravity) and his velocity just before he hits the pile of cardboard boxes. Since the exact impact velocity is not provided in the question, we cannot calculate the impulse directly. However, we can say that the impulse would be equal to the product of the average force Michael experienced during the collision and the time interval.
For instance, if a 1.0-kg ball of putty falls and comes to rest upon hitting the floor, experiencing a force over a given time interval, the impact exerts an impulse on the putty. Similarly, if Michael hits the pile of cardboard boxes and the force exerted on him brings him to a stop in 0.25 seconds, the impulse is the product of this unknown force and the time duration of 0.25 seconds. To find the numerical value of the impulse, additional information like his speed just before impact would be necessary.