Calculating Acceleration from Tennis Serve Data

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    Acceleration F=ma
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the acceleration of a tennis ball served at a speed of 73.14 m/s, starting from rest, with a mass of 57.0 g and a contact time of 30.0 ms with the racquet. Participants are exploring the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to apply the formula for acceleration and are questioning the definitions and relationships between force, mass, and momentum. Some are exploring the average acceleration based on the change in velocity over time.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the calculations involved in determining acceleration. One participant has suggested a formula for acceleration, while another has pointed out the importance of including units in calculations to identify potential errors.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may impose specific methods or formats for presenting their solutions. There is a noted confusion regarding the application of formulas and the interpretation of results.

trynagetby
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Homework Statement



The fastest served tennis ball, served by "Big Bill" Tilden in 1931, was measured at 73.14 m/s. The mass of a tennis ball is 57.0 g, and the ball is typically in contact with the tennis racquet for 30.0 {\rm ms}, with the ball starting from rest.

Homework Equations



F=ma
p=mv (?)
don't understand how to find the acceleration

The Attempt at a Solution



f=57(a)

found the momentum in an attempt to relate it to acceleration, but I failed. Any ideas on how to find the acceleration?
 
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What's the definition of acceleration?
 
trynagetby said:

Homework Statement



The fastest served tennis ball, served by "Big Bill" Tilden in 1931, was measured at 73.14 m/s. The mass of a tennis ball is 57.0 g, and the ball is typically in contact with the tennis racquet for 30.0 {\rm ms}, with the ball starting from rest.

Homework Equations



F=ma
p=mv (?)
don't understand how to find the acceleration

The Attempt at a Solution



f=57(a)

found the momentum in an attempt to relate it to acceleration, but I failed. Any ideas on how to find the acceleration?
Hello trynagetby. Welcome to PF.

The ball goes from zero to 73.14 m/s in 30 milliseconds. What's the average acceleration ?
 
so it should be this

a=(Vf-Vo)/t

30 milliseconds = .03 seconds

73.14/.03 seconds

= 24380 ?

57(24380) = 1389660 but my online homework is telling me that's wrong
 
put your units in your calculations and you'll see the problem.
 

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