Solving a Physics Puzzle: Average Acceleration of a Tennis Ball

[TheDividedSky]

Hello, I'm starting to study physics, and I have a problem that I have puzzled me for long... here it is. any help appreciated. thanks in advanced.

A tennis ball with a speed of 23.6 m/s is
thrown perpendicularly at a wall. After strik-
ing the wall, the ball rebounds in the opposite
direction with a speed of 14.6 m/s.
If the ball is in contact with the wall for
0.014 sec, what is the average acceleration of
the ball while it is in contact with the wall?

 

[arildno]

1. What's the net change of the ball's velocity ?(remember signs!)
2. How can you now find average acceleration?
3.Welcome to PF!

 

[M98Ranger]

First, we need to define what average acceleration is. Average acceleration is the rate of change of velocity over a specific period of time. In this case, the period of time is the 0.014 seconds that the ball is in contact with the wall.

To solve this problem, we can use the formula for average acceleration: average acceleration = (final velocity - initial velocity) / time.

We are given the initial velocity of the ball (23.6 m/s) and the final velocity (14.6 m/s). Plugging these values into the formula, we get: average acceleration = (14.6 m/s - 23.6 m/s) / 0.014 sec.

Simplifying this, we get an average acceleration of -643 m/s^2. The negative sign indicates that the acceleration is in the opposite direction of the initial velocity, which makes sense since the ball is rebounding off the wall.

I hope this helps to solve your problem and gives you a better understanding of average acceleration. Remember to always define the variables and use the appropriate formula to solve physics problems. Good luck with your studies!