Impulse vs. Pulse — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 19, 2024
Impulse refers to a sudden urge or drive, while pulse denotes a rhythmic beat or vibration.
Difference Between Impulse and Pulse
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Impulse signifies a spontaneous drive or inclination to act without premeditation, often based on an immediate emotional response or desire. It's the sudden urge that propels someone to buy something unnecessary or say something without thinking. Pulse, on the other hand, represents the regular, rhythmic throbbing or beat, often associated with the heartbeat or the periodic vibration in music or electronics. It's the steady beat you feel in your wrist or the rhythm that keeps a dance floor alive.
In psychology, an impulse can be understood as a sudden wish or motivation to act, driven by internal or external stimuli, without the consideration of consequences. This contrasts with pulse, which in various contexts (like music, electronics, or literature) symbolizes continuity, regularity, and the flow of existence or energy. The pulse is what you tap your foot to in a song or measure to understand the health of a person or an ecosystem.
Impulses are often seen as temporary and fleeting, capable of leading to immediate but short-lived satisfaction or regret. They are unpredictable and can vary greatly in intensity and outcome. Pulses, however, are indicative of a more sustained and measurable phenomenon, offering insights into the state or condition of a system, whether it be a living organism, an electrical circuit, or the atmosphere of a social gathering.
The concept of impulse in physics relates to the product of force and the time over which it is applied, resulting in a change in momentum. This scientific definition underscores the transient, yet impactful, nature of impulses. In contrast, the measurement of a pulse in various scientific and technical fields (such as medicine, acoustics, or engineering) emphasizes the importance of periodicity and regular intervals in assessing health, sound, or signal strength.
Impulse buying or impulsive actions highlight the human tendency to act under the sway of immediate emotional states or desires, often bypassing rational deliberation. Pulse, conversely, is used metaphorically to describe the vitality or underlying rhythm of activities, communities, or trends, reflecting a collective energy or mood that can influence group dynamics and cultural flows.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Sudden urge or drive to act
Rhythmic beat or vibration
Context
Psychological, spontaneous actions
Health, music, electronics, continuity
Nature
Temporary, fleeting
Sustained, regular
Indicative of
Immediate emotional response or desire
Health, state, or condition of a system
Use in Fields
Psychology, consumer behavior
Medicine, acoustics, engineering
Compare with Definitions
Impulse
Driven by immediate emotions or desires.
Impulse purchases often lead to buyer’s regret.
Pulse
A rhythmic beating or vibration.
The doctor checked the patient's pulse during the examination.
Impulse
Lacking premeditation or consideration.
He made an impulsive decision that he later questioned.
Pulse
Used to measure periodicity.
Engineers use pulse signals to control the timing of circuits.
Impulse
A change in momentum in physics.
The impulse given to the ball moved it across the field.
Pulse
Indicative of vitality or health.
A healthy pulse is a good indicator of cardiovascular health.
Impulse
Characterizing spontaneous actions.
Her impulse to help led her to volunteer unexpectedly.
Pulse
Reflecting the mood or energy of a group.
The festival captured the pulse of the city’s vibrant culture.
Impulse
A sudden desire to do something.
On an impulse, she decided to book a flight to Paris.
Pulse
The underlying beat in music.
The song's pulse had everyone tapping their feet.
Impulse
(Physiology) The electrochemical transmission of a signal along a nerve fiber that produces an excitatory or inhibitory response at a target tissue, such as a muscle or another nerve.
Pulse
In medicine, a pulse represents the tactile arterial palpation of the cardiac cycle (heartbeat) by trained fingertips. The pulse may be palpated in any place that allows an artery to be compressed near the surface of the body, such as at the neck (carotid artery), wrist (radial artery), at the groin (femoral artery), behind the knee (popliteal artery), near the ankle joint (posterior tibial artery), and on foot (dorsalis pedis artery).
Impulse
An impelling force; an impetus.
Pulse
The rhythmical throbbing of arteries produced by the regular contractions of the heart, especially as palpated at the wrist or in the neck.
Impulse
The motion produced by such a force.
Pulse
A regular or rhythmical beating.
Impulse
A sudden wish or urge that prompts an unpremeditated act or feeling; an abrupt inclination
Had an impulse to run away.
An impulse of regret that made me hesitate.
Bought a hat on impulse.
Pulse
A single beat or throb.
Impulse
A motivating force or tendency
"Respect for the liberty of others is not a natural impulse in most men" (Bertrand Russell).
Pulse
A brief sudden change in a normally constant quantity
A pulse of current.
A pulse of radiation.
Impulse
(Electronics) A surge of electrical power in one direction.
Pulse
Any of a series of intermittent occurrences characterized by a brief sudden change in a quantity.
Impulse
(Physics) The product obtained by multiplying the average value of a force by the time during which it acts. The impulse equals the change in momentum produced by the force in this time interval.
Pulse
The perceptible emotions or sentiments of a group of people
"a man who had ... his finger on the pulse of America" (Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr.).
Impulse
Characterized by impulsiveness or acting on impulse
An impulse shopper.
Impulse buying.
Pulse
The edible seeds of certain pod-bearing plants, such as lentils and chickpeas.
Impulse
A thrust; a push; a sudden force that impels.
Pulse
A plant yielding these seeds.
Impulse
A wish or urge, particularly a sudden one prompting action.
The impulse to learn drove me to study night and day.
When I saw the new book, I couldn't resist the impulse to browse through it.
Pulse
To pulsate; beat
"The nation pulsed with music and proclamation, with rages and moral pretensions" (Lance Morrow).
Impulse
(physics) The integral of force over time.
The total impulse from the impact will depend on the kinetic energy of the projectile.
Pulse
(Physics) To undergo a series of intermittent occurrences characterized by brief, sudden changes in a quantity.
Impulse
(transitive) To impel; to incite.
Pulse
To chop in short bursts, as in a food processor
The cook pulsed the leeks and added some coriander.
Impulse
The act of impelling, or driving onward with sudden force; impulsion; especially, force so communicated as to produced motion suddenly, or immediately.
All spontaneous animal motion is performed by mechanical impulse.
Pulse
(physiology)
Impulse
The effect of an impelling force; motion produced by a sudden or momentary force.
Pulse
The nature or rate of this beat as an indication of a person's health.
Her pulse was thready and weak.
Impulse
The action of a force during a very small interval of time; the effect of such action; as, the impulse of a sudden blow upon a hard elastic body.
Pulse
(figuratively) A beat or throb; also, a repeated sequence of such beats or throbs.
Impulse
A mental force which simply and directly urges to action; hasty inclination; sudden motive; momentary or transient influence of appetite or passion; propension; incitement; as, a man of good impulses; passion often gives a violent impulse to the will; to buy something on impulse.
These were my natural impulses for the undertaking.
Pulse
(figuratively) The focus of energy or vigour of an activity, place, or thing; also, the feeling of bustle, busyness, or energy in a place; the heartbeat.
You can really feel the pulse of the city in this district.
Impulse
To impel; to incite.
Pulse
An (increased) amount of a substance (such as a drug or an isotopic label) given over a short time.
Impulse
An instinctive motive;
Profound religious impulses
Pulse
A setting on a food processor which causes it to work in a series of short bursts rather than continuously, in order to break up ingredients without liquidizing them; also, a use of this setting.
Impulse
A sudden desire;
He bought it on an impulse
Pulse
The beat or tactus of a piece of music or verse; also, a repeated sequence of such beats.
Impulse
The electrical discharge that travels along a nerve fiber;
They demonstrated the transmission of impulses from the cortex to the hypothalamus
Pulse
(physics)
Impulse
(electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients);
The pulsations seemed to be coming from a star
Pulse
A brief burst of electromagnetic energy, such as light, radio waves, etc.
Impulse
The act of applying force suddenly;
The impulse knocked him over
Pulse
Synonym of autosoliton
Impulse
An impelling force or strength;
The car's momentum carried it off the road
Pulse
A brief increase in the strength of an electrical signal; an impulse.
Pulse
(uncountable) Annual leguminous plants (such as beans, lentils, and peas) yielding grains or seeds used as food for humans or animals; (countable) such a plant; a legume.
Pulse
(uncountable) Edible grains or seeds from leguminous plants, especially in a mature, dry condition; (countable) a specific kind of such a grain or seed.
Pulse
To emit or impel (something) in pulses or waves.
Pulse
To give to (something, especially a cell culture) an (increased) amount of a substance, such as a drug or an isotopic label, over a short time.
Pulse
To operate a food processor on (some ingredient) in short bursts, to break it up without liquidizing it.
Pulse
To apply an electric current or signal that varies in strength to (something).
Pulse
To manipulate (an electric current, electromagnetic wave, etc.) so that it is emitted in pulses.
Pulse
Of an activity, place, or thing: to bustle with energy and liveliness; to pulsate.
Pulse
Leguminous plants, or their seeds, as beans, pease, etc.
If all the worldShould, in a pet of temperance, feed on pulse.
Pulse
The beating or throbbing of the heart or blood vessels, especially of the arteries.
Pulse
Any measured or regular beat; any short, quick motion, regularly repeated, as of a medium in the transmission of light, sound, etc.; oscillation; vibration; pulsation; impulse; beat; movement.
The measured pulse of racing oars.
When the ear receives any simple sound, it is struck by a single pulse of the air, which makes the eardrum and the other membranous parts vibrate according to the nature and species of the stroke.
The pulse wave travels over the arterial system at the rate of about 29.5 feet in a second.
Pulse
To beat, as the arteries; to move in pulses or beats; to pulsate; to throb.
Pulse
To drive by a pulsation; to cause to pulsate.
Pulse
(electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients);
The pulsations seemed to be coming from a star
Pulse
The rhythmic contraction and expansion of the arteries with each beat of the heart;
He could feel the beat of her heart
Pulse
The rate at which the heart beats; usually measured to obtain a quick evaluation of a person's health
Pulse
Edible seeds of various pod-bearing plants (peas or beans or lentils etc.)
Pulse
Expand and contract rhythmically; beat rhythmically;
The baby's heart was pulsating again after the surgeon massaged it
Pulse
Produce or modulate (as electromagnetic waves) in the form of short bursts or pulses or cause an apparatus to produce pulses;
Pulse waves
A transmitter pulsed by an electronic tube
Pulse
Drive by or as if by pulsation;
A soft breeze pulsed the air
Common Curiosities
Can impulses be positive?
Yes, impulses can lead to positive outcomes, like spontaneous acts of kindness or creativity, though they're often unpredictable.
How is a pulse measured?
A pulse can be measured physically through the rhythmic beats in the body or technically in waves or electrical signals.
How do impulses affect decision-making?
Impulses can lead to quick decisions without thorough consideration, often bypassing rational thought processes.
What drives an impulse?
An impulse is driven by a sudden emotional desire or urge, often without rational deliberation.
Why is impulse important in physics?
Impulse explains how the application of force for a specific time period can change an object's momentum, crucial for understanding motion.
What role does pulse play in community or cultural studies?
Pulse can indicate the prevailing attitudes, trends, or energies within a community or culture, offering insights into collective behaviors.
Can the concept of pulse apply to non-physical phenomena?
Yes, pulse can describe the underlying rhythm or vitality of anything from music to social trends.
What does it mean to have a strong pulse?
A strong pulse signifies good health and vitality, indicating a strong and regular heartbeat or energy flow.
Is acting on an impulse always unwise?
Not necessarily; while it can lead to regret, it can also result in positive, spontaneous experiences or decisions.
How can one manage impulsive behaviors?
Through mindfulness, self-awareness, and strategies for delaying gratification and considering consequences.
Can impulses be controlled or redirected?
Yes, through practice and techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy, impulses can be managed or redirected towards more positive outcomes.
How do impulses and pulses differ in their impact on human behavior?
Impulses directly influence individual actions and decisions, often leading to immediate action, while pulses indirectly affect behavior by shaping the environment or mood one is in.
What does a regular pulse indicate in electronics?
In electronics, a regular pulse indicates a stable and controllable signal, essential for timing and processing operations.
What does it mean to "take the pulse" of something?
It means to assess the current state, mood, or opinions of a group or situation, gauging the overall energy or atmosphere.
How does pulse relate to music?
Pulse in music refers to the underlying beat that provides a tempo and rhythmic structure for the composition.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
