Calculating Impact Force of Dropping Metal Ball on Foam Mat

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the impact force of a metal ball dropped onto a foam mat, focusing on the relevant formulas and concepts in mechanics. Participants are exploring the relationship between impact speed, rebound speed, mass, and the forces involved during the impact.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to understand the correct formula for calculating impact force and whether to include gravitational force in that calculation. Questions are raised about the role of weight force and how it interacts with momentum change during impact.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants questioning the influence of weight force on impact force and exploring the implications of Newton's second law. There is no explicit consensus yet, but various interpretations of the forces involved are being examined.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information they can use or the methods they can apply. The focus is on understanding the underlying physics rather than arriving at a definitive solution.

gonefishing
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When dropping a metal ball onto a foam mat what is the formula for the impact speed. I know the impact speed, rebound speed, the mass of the ball and time of the ball on the mat.



I know:

F = m[delta]v
...[delta]t

and

F = mg , where g= -9.8 N/kg


But what is the impact force?

Is it F = m[delta]v + mg ?
....[delta]t
 
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Force

F = \frac{d\rho}{dt}

:rolleyes:

(Does my LaTeX work?)
 
ok, but still I don't understand whether the weight force affects the value of the impact force.

The ball is being dropped vertically, so do we add the weight force to dp/dt?
 
gonefishing said:
ok, but still I don't understand whether the weight force affects the value of the impact force.

The ball is being dropped vertically, so do we add the weight force to dp/dt?
When you calculate the momentum change over time, you are calculating the NET force acting on the object, per Newton's 2nd law. The net force is a combination of the gravity force downward and the normal force upward. So, what does that tell you about the 'impact' (normal) force?
 

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