Experiment to Measure Average Force when Hitting Hockey ball?

[Mark Rice]

Homework Statement

Two girls are arguing about which is able to hit a hockey ball harder. Describe an experiment which they could carry out to measure the average force between the stick and ball during time of contact.

Homework Equations

Force * Time=Change in Momemtum (Mv-Mu)

The Attempt at a Solution

I am thinking that the way to do this experiment is to measure the change in momentum, using light gates and a TSA to measure the time interval of the ball and a balance to measure the mass of the ball (and thus calculate the change in momemtum). After calculating this, you would measure the time of contact between the stick and the ball and put the information into the equation: Force * Time=Change in Momemtum (Mv-Mu) and work out the average force. The thing i am stuck with is where would you put the light gates (ie what distance from the ball would you put the light gate ) and what method would you use to measure the time of contact between the stick and the ball?

(the only equiptment which would be able to be used would be equiptment available to a high school pupil) Thanks for any help in advance

 

[Spinnor]

When you say hit the ball harder I'm thinking the one that hits it the hardest is the one who gives it the greatest velocity. But you could also hit it such that the peak force was larger but if over a shorter time the ball might not be the fastest.

So what exactly do you mean when you say hit it the hardest, do you want the fastest ball or the ball that under goes the greatest peak acceleration?