Momentum Questions: Solve w/ Formulas

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The discussion revolves around self-teaching momentum concepts due to a teacher strike. The first problem involves calculating the final velocity of a 6.3 kg mass after an impulse of -31.5 N/s, with participants clarifying the use of the impulse-momentum theorem. The second problem focuses on determining the force required to change a baseball's velocity from 40.0 m/s to -50.0 m/s and calculating the corresponding impulse. Participants correct each other's calculations and emphasize the importance of using the correct mass unit in the second problem. Overall, the discussion highlights the application of impulse and momentum formulas in solving physics problems.
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Hello,

Due to a teacher strike where I live, I've been trying to teach myself the momentum unit . Could anyone go through these questions with me? Or tell me what formulas I should use to solve these problems?

1. A mass of 6.3 kg traveling at 6m/s is acted on by a force giving an impulse of -31.5 N/s. What is the velocity of the mass after the impulse?

I know that I have to do something with the final momentum and the intial momentum, but I don't know what formula to use.

2. What force must be imparted to a 100g baseball to change the velocity from 40.0 m/s to -50.0 m/s in 1.2 ms?
b) what is the impulse of this force?

thanks
 
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shannons said:
Hello,

Due to a teacher strike where I live, I've been trying to teach myself the momentum unit . Could anyone go through these questions with me? Or tell me what formulas I should use to solve these problems?

1. A mass of 6.3 kg traveling at 6m/s is acted on by a force giving an impulse of -31.5 N/s. What is the velocity of the mass after the impulse?

I know that I have to do something with the final momentum and the intial momentum, but I don't know what formula to use.
Derive it then, from Newton's second law and the definition of impulse.
 
When I tried that I got:

delta p = pf-pi (change in momentum= momentum final - momentum initial)
deltap=m(vf)-m(vi)
37.8=6.3(vf)-6.3(6)

The answer for number 1 is supposed to be 1.0 m/s. Where am I going wrong?
 
Well, putting in the wrong number, for startes.
Where did you get 37.8 from, it is supposed to be -31.5
 
I thought I was supposed to calculate the momentum and put that in...

-31.5= 6.3(Vf) - 6.3(6)
-31.5/6.3= Vf - 37.8
-42.8= Vf

Is that better?
 
Impulse equals change in momentum, okay?
So, you have been given the impulse as -31.5, agreed?
You also know that initial momentum is 6.3*6=37.8, agreed?
Thus, you have:
-31.5=6.3*Vf-37.8
That is, adding 37.8 to both sides:
6.3=6.3*Vf

Understood?
 
I see, I did it in the wrong order. Thank you so much! :smile:
 
No problem.
 
Would I use the same formula for the next problem too?
 
  • #10
It is simplest to answer b) first, and then determine the force afterwards.
 
  • #11
2. What force must be imparted to a 100g baseball to change the velocity from 40.0 m/s to -50.0 m/s in 1.2 ms?
b) What is the impulse of this force?

delta p= pf-pi
delta p= m(vf)-m(vi)
delta p= 100(-50)-100(40)
delta p= -5000 -4000
= -9000

is that how I set that up?

If i divide the impulse by the time I get the force: -9000/ 1.2 = -7500. Which gives me the right answer for a.
 
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  • #12
Rather, you should say:
a) By DEFINITION of the symbol delta(p), delta(p) = mvf-mvi.
b)By Newton's 2.law, we have
I=delta(p), where I is the impulse.

Thus, you have:
I=mVf-mvi

You have derived the right answer for I.
 
  • #13
Thats an easier way of thinking of it :), thank you.

How do I get the correct impulse? In the answer key, it says that the answer for b. is -9 N/s

edit: I think the answer key might be wrong:( thank you for your help, I'm starting to understand this now :D.
 
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  • #14
Oh, I see, your baseball weigh 100g, not 100kg as you used..
 
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