Calculating Average Acceleration During Ball-Wall Collision

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the average acceleration of a tennis ball during its collision with a wall. The ball initially travels at a speed of 25.1 m/s towards the wall and rebounds at a speed of 12.8 m/s in the opposite direction, with a contact time of 0.0105 seconds.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using kinematic equations to find average acceleration, with some attempting to isolate the variable in the equations. There is also a focus on the need to account for the change in direction of the ball's velocity.

Discussion Status

Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of kinematic equations and the importance of adjusting the sign of the velocity due to the change in direction. Participants are actively engaging with the problem, but no consensus or final solution has been reached.

Contextual Notes

There is an emphasis on ensuring the correct application of signs for velocities due to the change in direction during the collision, which may impact the calculation of average acceleration.

krazykaci
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A tennis ball with a speed of 25.1 m/s is moving perpendicualr to a wall. After striking the wall, the ball rebounds in the opposite direction with a speed of 12.8 m/s. Take "twords the wall" to be a positive direction. If the ball is in contact with the wall for 0.0105 s, what is the average acceleration of the ball while it is in contact witht he wall? Answer in units of m/s2

where do i start here?

~KACI
 
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Look at your kinematic equations. Find one that you can solve for average acceleration. Isolate it and solve it.
 
so v.= 25.1 v=12.8 t= 0.0105 then I use v=v.+a(t) to solve?
 
yes, but use algebra to re-write that formula so it reads:

a = something.
 
The ball changes direction, so you need to change the sign of one of the velocities.
 
thanks! =)
 

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