Calculating Impulse and Final Velocity in a Ball Collision Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the impulse and final velocity of a ball during a collision with the floor. The scenario describes a .500 kg ball dropped from a height of 1.20 m, which rebounds to a height of 0.700 m. Participants are exploring the concepts of momentum and energy conservation in the context of this collision.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss calculating the momentum before and after the collision, considering the vertical nature of the problem. There are questions about whether to find the time of the collision and what specific velocities are being referred to as "final."

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing hints and clarifications regarding the use of conservation of energy to find impact and separation velocities. There is a recognition that the impulse relates to the change in momentum, and some participants are questioning the necessity of calculating time.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the constraints of the problem, including the need to consider signs in momentum calculations and the specific heights involved in determining velocities. There is an emphasis on the one-dimensional nature of the problem, which simplifies the analysis.

pinky2468
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I have this homework problem that I keep going in circles with! Any hints?

A .500kg ball is dropped from rest at a point 1.20 m above the floor. The ball rebounds straight upward to a height of .700 m. What are the magnitude and direction of the impulse of the net force applied to the ball during the collision with the floor.

Ok so I know that Vo= 0m/s and I need to find the final velocity and time right? Do I need to break apart into x and y components?
 
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The impuls is the total change in the momentum of the ball.
First calculate the momentum of the ball just before it hits the ground.
Then calculate the momentum just after the ball looses contact with the floor (use the fact that it reaches a height of 0.7 m)
Then calculate the difference (watch the signs). That gives the magnitude of the impulse.

There's only a vertical component, so this is a 1-dimensional problem. No need to fuss with components.
 
1) All motion occurs in the vertical, so it is a one-dimensional problem.
(no need of vectorial description)
2) By conservation of energy, find the IMPACT velocity v(imp) of the ball at the moment of impact, just PRIOR to the collision.
3) By conservation of energy in the system AFTER collision, find the SEPARATION velocity v(sep) of ball.
4) Find the change of momentum DURING collision, that is M(v(sep)-v(imp))
Here, M is the mass of the ball. Mind your signs on velocities.

Hmm..Galileo beat me on this..
 
I get what both you are saying, but do I need to find the time? I am a little confused on which formula to use
 
Since the impulse of the applied force equals the net change of momentum, there is no need to "find" the time. In addition, there's no way you can find it..
 
I think I know which equations to use, but I still don't get how to find the final velocity?
 
What do you mean exactly with "final" velocity?
Separation velocity, or impact velocity?
These are given by energy conservation.
 
I got it! I used Vf=square root 2gh
Thanks for your help!
 
That is the equation you have to use twice:
1) To find the impact velocity (h=1.2)
2) To find the separation velocity (h=0.7)
 

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