Checking a question involving impact/impulse forces

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the minimum height from which a ceramic pot must be dropped to break upon impact with the floor, given its mass and the force threshold for breaking. The subject area includes concepts of impulse, momentum, and energy conservation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between force, momentum, and energy, with attempts to apply relevant equations. Questions arise regarding the correctness of the original poster's calculations and the interpretation of momentum in the context of the problem.

Discussion Status

Some participants provide guidance on using momentum to approach the problem, while others verify the calculations presented. There is an ongoing exploration of the equations involved, with no explicit consensus reached on the correctness of the original poster's solution.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes considerations of real-world implications of the calculated height and the assumptions made, such as neglecting air resistance.

emilypearson
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Homework Statement


A ceramic pot of mass 0.5 kg will break if it strikes the floor with an impact force equal
to, or greater than, 20 N. The collision lasts for 0.05 s. Find the minimum vertical height
from which, if dropped from rest, the pot will break upon impact with the floor (you
may ignore air resistance).

Homework Equations


Impulse=FΔt=Pfinal-Pinital
Fd=ΔKinetic energy
PE=mgh
KE=1/2mv2

The Attempt at a Solution


At a height h, the object has KE=0 and PE=mgh=0.5gh
At impact, the object has KE=1/2mv2=0.25v2 and PE=0
FΔt=Pf-Pi
However Pi=0 as the velocity is 0.
equation 1: 20*0.05=Pf=mv=0.5v
to find v:
1/2mv2=mgh
rearrange to give v=√2gh
back into equation 1:
1=0.52*2gh
h=1/0.52*2*9.81
h=0.2m

Is this correct? That doesn't seem big enough in order for the pot to break (thinking in real world terms)
 
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You need to use the fact that force = change in momentum per second.
They give you the force so you need to get momentum information
Do you know how?
 
That's what I attempted to do with the Pf-Pi with P being momentum (mv) ... is that not the right equation?
 
You are correct and if you look at your equation 1 you see that v = 2 m/s ?
So 2 = √2gh.
 
Perfect - thanks :)
 

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