Elastic Collision: Contact Time?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the contact time of a handball with a wall during an elastic collision. A handball of mass 668 grams is thrown at a speed of 13.36 m/s and rebounds with the same speed, exerting an average force of 12 N on the wall. The correct approach involves using the impulse-momentum theorem, specifically the equation FΔt = mΔv, where Δv must account for the change in direction. The user initially miscalculated Δv, leading to an incorrect result of 0 seconds for contact time.

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Homework Statement


A handball of mass 668 grams is thrown straight against a wall with a speed of 13.36 m/s. It rebounds straight back out with the same speed. The average force exerted on the wall by the ball is 12 N.

How long is the ball in contact with the wall?


Homework Equations


FΔt = mΔv (?)


The Attempt at a Solution


m = 0.668 kg, Δv = 0 m/s, F = 12N
With the equation I used, the answer I get is 0 s, but the answer isn't 0 s.

Can anyone tell me what the correct equation to use is? Or what I'm doing wrong?
 
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You are calculating Δv incorrectly. Don't forget to take direction into account.
 
Doc Al said:
You are calculating Δv incorrectly. Don't forget to take direction into account.

Thank you! That should have been so obvious. I got it right this time.
 

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