Calculating Impulse and Average Force for a Ball Dropped on a Floor

  • Thread starter Thread starter iamkristing
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Collision Impulse
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating impulse and average force for a 1.0 kg ball dropped from a height, impacting the floor at 20 m/s and rebounding at 5 m/s. The correct impulse calculation involves determining the change in momentum, which is P_after - P_before, resulting in an impulse of 125 kg·m/s. For the average force exerted on the floor, the formula F = m(deltav)/deltat must include gravitational force, leading to a corrected average force of 1250 N, not 0.5 N as initially calculated.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of momentum (p = m*v)
  • Knowledge of impulse (J = Δp)
  • Familiarity with average force calculation (F = m(Δv)/Δt)
  • Basic concepts of gravitational force
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the principles of momentum conservation in collisions
  • Study the relationship between impulse and force in physics
  • Learn about the effects of gravitational force on objects in free fall
  • Explore advanced topics in dynamics, such as elastic and inelastic collisions
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics, as well as educators and tutors seeking to clarify concepts related to impulse and force calculations.

iamkristing
Messages
33
Reaction score
0
[SOLVED] collision and impulse

Homework Statement


A 1.0 kg ball drops vertically onto a floor, hitting with a speed of 20 m/s. It rebounds with an initial speed of 5 m/s.
(a) What impulse acts on the ball during the contact?
kg·m/s

(b) If the ball is in contact with the floor for 0.020 s, what is the average force exerted on the floor?
N



Homework Equations


p=m*v
deltap=J
F=m(deltav)/deltat


The Attempt at a Solution



For (a) i used p=m*v and deltap=J

so I got (1*-20)-(1*5)=-25

and for (b) i used that F=(m*deltav)/deltat

which came out to be... 1(-25)/.020=0.5 N

both answers were wrong and I'm not sure what is wrong with the formulas I used...

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
25/0.020=1250
 
For a) the impulse is P_after - P_before and not P_before - P_after.

For b) see The reply of Mikelepore. I think you need to add the force of gravity as well.
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
9K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
14
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
6K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
6K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K