What is the Correct Calculation for Impulse in Soccer Heading?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the impulse imparted to a soccer ball during a heading maneuver in youth soccer. The problem involves understanding the change in momentum as the ball is deflected at a specific angle while maintaining its speed.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between impulse and momentum, questioning the calculations related to velocity components and the correct application of formulas. There is a focus on the distinction between impulse and momentum, as well as the method for determining initial momentum.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing guidance on how to approach the calculation of impulse. Some participants have clarified the need to differentiate between impulse and momentum, while others have suggested methods for calculating initial momentum and the change in momentum vector.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through potential misunderstandings regarding the definitions and calculations involved, particularly in the context of a physics problem related to sports. There is an emphasis on ensuring that the calculations align with the principles of physics regarding impulse and momentum.

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Recent studies have raised concern about `heading' in youth soccer (i.e., hitting the ball with the head). A soccer player `heads' a size 3 ball deflecting it by 54.0°, and keeps its speed of 10.30 m/s constant. A size 3 ball has a mass of approximately 2.000 kg. What is the magnitude of the impulse which the player must impart to the ball?
I started by finding the change in velocity.
In the x-direction:
the final velocity= cos 54 * 10.30 * 2.000 = 12.1 m/s
the inital velocity = 10.30 * 2.000 = 8.3 m/s
Change in velocity in x= 3.8 m/s
In the y-direction:
the final velocity= sin 54 * 10.30 * 2.000= 16.6
the initial velocity= 0 m/s
change in velocity in y= 16.6 m/s
Then i used the pythagorean theorem.
[tex]sq rt 16.6^2 + 3.8^2[/tex] = 17.0 m/s
I multiplied this by the mass 2.000 to get the impulse= 34.0 kg*m/s
This wasn't right.. can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong?thanks
 
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The impulse is the change in momentum. So first you have to find the new speed vector (the new x and y speeds, multiply (the sqrt of them squared as you did) by mass to get the momentum vector (then get the new x and y momentum components with trig), and then subtract the initial momentum vector from the knew one (x-axis minus x-axis and y=axis minus y-axis), then find the size of the new vector to get the impulse.
-Also, when you calculated the velocities, why did you multiply by 2.000?
you found the new momentum, not the impulse.
 
I'm sorry but I really don't follow you. I think you're saying what I did was right but it's momentum not impulse. I'm not sure how to get the initial momentum.
 
The speed doesn't change, just the direction. Find the change in momentum by subtracting the initial momentum vector from the final momentum vector. Then find the magnitude of that change, which is all you need. (Hint: Pretend the initial momentum is in the +x direction.)
 
You get the initial momentum by simply multiplying the speed by the mass, as Doc AI said, all of the initial speed is along the x-axis.
 
I see what I was doing wrong. Thanks
 

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