Bouncing ball average acceleration

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a golf ball released from a height of 1.5 meters that bounces back to a height of 1.1 meters. The task is to determine the average acceleration of the ball while it is in contact with the floor, given the time of contact and gravitational acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the correctness of the variables provided and the equations used. There are attempts to calculate the time of flight and initial and final velocities using kinematic equations. Questions arise regarding the definitions and calculations of initial and final velocities.

Discussion Status

Some participants have suggested using specific kinematic equations to find the velocities and average acceleration. There is an ongoing exploration of the variables involved, and multiple interpretations of the problem are being considered, particularly regarding the velocities at different points in the motion.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the definitions of initial and final velocities in the context of the ball's motion. There is mention of a related post that may provide additional insights.

physicsquest
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Homework Statement


A golf ball released from a height of 1.5m above a concrete floor bounces back to a height of 1.1m. If the ball is in contact with the floor for 6.2 X 10^-4 s, what is the average acceleration of the ball while in contact with the floor?

g= 9.81 m/s^2
x-xo= -1.5
vo= 0
t= 6.2 X 10^-4

Are these variables all correct?


Homework Equations


t= ((-2(x-xo))/g)^(-1/2)
average acceleration= (v2-v1)/(t2-t1)


The Attempt at a Solution


t= ((-2(-1.5m)/(9.81m/s^2))^(1/2)= 0.55s

Do I take initial velocity divided by this time number?
And is final velocity just 1.1 divided by time?
 
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Using the formula
vf^2 = vi^2 + 2gh, find vf when ball reaches the ground and vi when it rebounds from the ground.
Then find the change in the velocity ( be careful about the directions of the velocities). Time of contact is given. Find the average acceleration.
 
I'm still not sure what vf and vi are though. I tried dividing height by time and I used t= (-2(x-xo)/g)^1/2 to find times, but I'm still not getting the right answer.
 
physicsquest said:
I'm still not sure what vf and vi are though. I tried dividing height by time and I used t= (-2(x-xo)/g)^1/2 to find times, but I'm still not getting the right answer.
Refer the post " dropping a tennis ball " by demonelite.
 

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