Push off vs IMPULSION

Question

How would you say this sentence?1 The  cat pushed off the vase to jum onto the shelf./ The cat took impulsion off the vase to jump onto the shelf. (USED THE VASE TO JUMP??)What's the difference please and are they both correct?1 Does  this word make a difference./ Is there a difference in meaning when  using this word?Thank you

Avangi · Accepted Answer

That's a real challenge. We don't really have a casual expression for this sort of thing. You need to go to Neutonian physics! I'm surprised the French look at it this way (to take impulsion from). It's fascinating.

We almost need to approach it as a two-phase action, although it's really not:
The cat braced himself against the vase, and sprang to the shelf.

That's the best I can come up with offhand. Maybe someone else has an idea.
"To push off the X" is used in English, but it needs a little context.
That is, you can "push something off," or you can "push off [of] something."
The question is, which moves? You, or the object?
If we're launching in a rowboat, we may "push off" [from] the dock.

To the layman, impulsion is not often self~~impulsion. (Self~~propulsion is a more common concept.)
He propelled himself on the inner-tube.

I should think it would need to be a hefty vase, else it would end up on the floor.
(Perhaps that's where it is anyway. The cat's trajectory is not clear. Does he jump from one elevated object to another, or from a lower position to a higher position? )

GG's resume includes both cats and engineering. Perhaps she has an idea.

- A.

Push off vs IMPULSION

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