Calculating Impulse for Hailstones Striking Car Roof

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the impulse imparted to a hailstone of mass 0.0650 kg striking a car roof at a speed of 15 m/s and bouncing to a height of 12 cm. The impulse can be determined using the change in momentum, calculated as the difference between the downward and upward momentum. The final momentum values were found to be 0.975 kg·m/s downward and -0.156 kg·m/s upward, resulting in a delta momentum of 1.13 kg·m/s, which approximates the expected impulse of 1.07 kg·m/s.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of momentum (p = mv)
  • Knowledge of impulse (J = Ft)
  • Basic physics concepts of energy conservation and motion
  • Ability to solve quadratic equations for velocity and time
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  • Study the relationship between impulse and momentum in physics
  • Learn how to calculate the velocity of an object at different heights
  • Explore energy loss during collisions and its implications
  • Investigate the effects of varying mass and speed on impulse calculations
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and impulse-momentum theory, as well as educators seeking to clarify concepts related to collisions and energy transfer.

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Homework Statement



Hail stones of mass 0.0650 kg are falling straight down with a speed of 15 m/s when they strike a car roof. If the hailstones bounce to a height of 12 cm above the car, what is the impulse that the car roof imparts to a single hailstone?

Homework Equations


p=mv J=Ft


The Attempt at a Solution


I tried finding the downward momentum first and then equalling it to the upward momentum of the hailstones but I am stuck on where to plug in the height of the bounce.
Do I need to find velocity or time of the hailstone on the way up first? If I found time I think I could multiply it by Force to get J (Impulse).
 
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Find the velocity up and then use p=mv, J=delta(mv) where delta means the difference between down and up (don't forget one is negative relative to the other). Velocity up isn't equal to velocity down. The lost energy goes into denting the car roof.
 
Thank you,
I am still not sure how to find v, we have not done any of these type of questions in class.
I have tried making both sides equal to the minus of the other, but come up with the same (15m/s) because the mass is the same. Time is also unknown so I'm not sure.
I tried to find the original height by equalling momentum on either side and came up with 0.76 meters. I used this to determine the time to fall as 0.05 s. From this I just now found the velocity up as 2.4 m/s. Now, using the info you gave me, initial p=.975 and final p=-.156.
so delta p=1.13 kg*m/s. The answer is 1.07 so I'm not sure if this is the way to do this.
 

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