What is the difference between "pulse" and "impulse"?

Question

Let's say you have a title to write, I wrote something like "the [adjective] pulse". Here what I mean by "pulse" is the noun to describe a "will" that "comes suddently in you" and makes you feel like you have to do something, often creative or reactive.

Now, in english, it seems that "impulse" would be more accurate, but it seems too that "pulse" can be used to mean exactly what I want.

So I'd like to have an explanation about if there is a real difference between both "a pulse" and "an impulse", and if there are cases, like my example, where it does mean "a sudden will to do something".

(I'm french, if that can help)

Answer 1

I have never heard the word "pulse" used in this way.

Here is the dictionary definition. It seems the word has many different meanings, but none of them seem to fit. It is usually used to mean a regular or rhythmical beating.

"The will that comes suddenly in you, often creative or reactive" would normally just be an impulse.

Answer 2

• Pulse refers to the general emotions of a group of people (among other meanings).

The article captures the pulse of the nation.

• Impulse is a sudden wish or motivation.

I overcame all impulses to quit my degree.

There is no suddenness in this meaning of pulse. What might have caused your confusion is the use of pulse in physics, where it refers to a "sudden" surge of current. However that is a different meaning/usage.