The discussion focuses on calculating the impulse experienced by a tennis ball of mass 0.060 kg and speed 25 m/s when it strikes a wall at a 45-degree angle and rebounds at the same angle. The impulse is determined by the change in momentum, and while the initial approach using trigonometric functions was on the right track, it was clarified that the correct angle to use is 45 degrees, not 30 degrees. The consensus is to consistently use one trigonometric function based on the angle's definition relative to the wall's surface or normal for accurate calculations in future problems.
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Impulse is the change in momentum, so you're on the right track. But why use 30o in your trig functions? The problem statement says the angles are both 45o.runningirl said:.06(25)(cos30)+.06(25)(sin30)?
i actually had no idea...
Essentially, yes, your method works. But I would pick one trig function (either sine or cosine) and stick with it. In general, the one you pick depends on how the angle is defined -- with respect to the wall's surface or the wall's normal. Of course in this particular problem, with the angle being 45o, you'll get the same answer either way. But generally speaking for similar, future problems, you'll have to use the correct one.runningirl said:sorry, i mean 45. but is my method correct?