Explanation:

According to Newton's Second Law of Motion, the rate of change of momentum of a body is directly proportional to the applied force and takes place in the direction in which the force acts. Mathematically, this is expressed as $\vec{F} = \frac{d\vec{p}}{dt}$, where $\vec{F}$ is the resultant force and $\vec{p}$ is the momentum. Therefore, option C, force, is the correct answer. Option A, energy, is the capacity to do work, and its rate of change is power. Option B, power, is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. Option D, impulse, is the change in momentum ($\Delta\vec{p} = \vec{F}\Delta t$), not the rate of change of momentum.