Calculating Force of Ball-Spring Collision

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter AdvaitDhingra
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Collision Force Spring
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the force exerted during a collision between a ball and a spring. The key variables include the mass of the ball and the spring constant (D). The formula F = dp/dt is highlighted, emphasizing the need for time data to determine the force accurately. Participants discuss the necessity of clarifying whether the maximum force, average force, or a function of force over time (F(t)) is required for the calculation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with the concepts of momentum and force
  • Knowledge of spring mechanics, specifically Hooke's Law
  • Basic calculus for understanding dp/dt
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Hooke's Law and its application in collision scenarios
  • Learn about calculating momentum and impulse in physics
  • Explore the concept of time-averaged forces in dynamic systems
  • Investigate the mathematical modeling of force as a function of time (F(t))
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, mechanical engineers, and anyone interested in the dynamics of collisions and spring mechanics.

AdvaitDhingra
Messages
51
Reaction score
22
Let's assume I have a ball moving at a constant velocity and it collides with a spring and the spring compresses n cm. If I know how much mass the ball has and the spring constant D, how would I calculate the Force? I mean since F = dp/dt I would have to know the time in which the stopping occurred. How can I solve this?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Do you want the maximum force, the average force (time-averaged, or distance-averaged), or the function ##F(t)##?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: nasu and Dale

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K