Force and Velocity: Resolving a Question

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between force, velocity, and kinetic energy, particularly focusing on how force affects the velocity of an object at the moment it is applied. Participants explore concepts related to impulse, the nature of kinetic energy, and the implications of applying force over time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the effect of force is instantaneous, questioning how velocity is affected at the moment of application.
  • Another participant clarifies that force is distinct from impulse, stating that force must be applied over a time period for any change to occur.
  • A participant expresses confusion about the relationship between kinetic energy and motion, asking for clarification on how friction affects energy and motion.
  • There is a discussion about the mathematical interpretation of ratios as one variable approaches zero, with an example involving the slope of a line.
  • Participants inquire about the dependency between motion and kinetic energy, suggesting that motion implies the presence of kinetic energy.
  • Questions arise regarding the specific dynamics of shooting a ball, including the acceleration and velocity at various moments during the action.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and confusion regarding the concepts discussed. There is no clear consensus on the relationship between force, velocity, and kinetic energy, and multiple competing views remain on these topics.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on assumptions about definitions of force and impulse, and there are unresolved questions regarding the mathematical implications of approaching zero in ratios. The discussion also touches on the transformation of energy forms, which remains unclear among participants.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring foundational concepts in physics, particularly those related to dynamics, energy, and the effects of forces on motion.

ShayanJ
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A few days ago I was thinking about the time duration that a force changes the velocity of the object its applied to and I reached the conclusion that the effect of force is at the moment of its applying.I mean if a shot to the ball gives it a maximum velocity V.then the ball's velocity at the moment of applying the force from your foot is V.
You all know the formula [tex]F=m \frac{\Delta v}{ \Delta t}[/tex].if we want to apply the last paragraph to this formula,we should tend [tex]\Delta t[/tex] to zero which gives us infinity and means that just very large forces show their effect at the moment of their applying which is not what we said in the last paragraph.
I want to know which of the things I've said is correct?
thanks a lot
 
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Shyan said:
… the effect of force is at the moment of its applying …

Hi Shyan! :smile:

I think you're confusing force with impulse …

force is rate of change of momentum …

impulse is total change of momentum …

force has to be applied over a time period, or nothing will happen. :wink:

(and impulse can be assumed to be instantaneous)
 
I'm still confused.Could you explain it in an example?
and one other question.As you know we tell [tex]K=1/2 mv^2[/tex] which means object has Kinetic energy till it has motion.Then we say if we have friction,energy is reduced and when it reaches zer,object stops.So we say object has motion till it has energy.An infinity cycle.Is'nt sth wrong?
 
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Shyan said:
if we want to apply the last paragraph to this formula,we should tend [tex]\Delta t[/tex] to zero which gives us infinity and means that just very large forces show their effect at the moment of their applying which is not what we said in the last paragraph.
When you have a ratio, just because the denominator tends to zero does not mean that the ratio goes to infinity. The numerator may be going to zero as well.

Consider a straight line. The slope is Δy/Δx. As you make Δx very small, does the slope change?

Shyan said:
and one other question.As you know we tell [tex]K=1/2 mv^2[/tex] which means object has Kinetic energy till it has motion.Then we say if we have friction,energy is reduced and when it reaches zer,object stops.So we say object has motion till it has energy.An infinity cycle.Is'nt sth wrong?
:confused: When something is moving, we say it has kinetic energy. When it stops moving, it no longer has kinetic energy. (The energy was transformed to another form, such as "heat".)
 
I mean which of them is depended on the other?(motion and kinetic energy)
And Could someone explain what happens when for example you shoot a ball?I don't know how to tell.I hope you understant what I mean!
thanks
 
Shyan said:
I mean which of them is depended on the other?(motion and kinetic energy)
If something is moving it has kinetic energy.
And Could someone explain what happens when for example you shoot a ball?
What do you mean?
 
I mean what happens every moment when for example we shoot a ball and what is the acceleration and velocity at any moment?I don't know how else can I say it?!
 

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