Find the average force of a golf club on a golf ball

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a golf ball being struck by a golf club, resulting in the ball traveling a distance of 150 meters at an angle of 30 degrees. The mass of the ball is given as 0.045 kg, and the duration of the collision is 0.01 seconds. The objective is to determine the average force exerted by the club on the ball.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the nature of the collision and its relevance to calculating average force. There are attempts to relate force to both velocity and acceleration, with questions about the correct approach to use in the context of impulse and momentum.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the relationship between force, velocity, and time, with some participants providing calculations based on different interpretations. The discussion reflects a mix of perspectives on how to approach the problem, and while some guidance has been offered, no consensus has been reached on the correct method or interpretation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of understanding the relationship between force, time, and velocity, while also questioning assumptions about what should be considered obvious in the problem-solving process.

Jrlinton
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Homework Statement


A golf ball is struck by a golf club and sent flying down range at an angle of 30 degrees to the ground and lands 150m downrange. If the mass of the ball is 0.045 kg and the collision of the ball and club lasted 0.01s, what was the average force applied by the club?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


So this is an imperfect inelastic collision? I can find the velocity of the ball after being struck but am unsure how that will help me
 
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It does not matter what type of collision it is. You are only asked for the average force. How does the force relate to the velocity of the ball after the hit?
 
Orodruin said:
How does the force relate to the velocity of the ball after the hit?
... force and time for which it is applied ...
 
haruspex said:
... force and time for which it is applied ...
Well, obviously. I expected the OP to do this bit of thinking for himself.
 
Fnet=m*a/t?
=(0.045kg*5.66m/s/s)/.01s
=25.49N?
Or is it
Fnet=m*v/t
(0.045kg*41.22m/s)/0.01s
=185.493 N
 
Since impulse is change in momentum then it should be using velocity and not acceleration, no?
So the average force is 185.5N?
 
Jrlinton said:
Since impulse is change in momentum then it should be using velocity and not acceleration, no?
So the average force is 185.5N?
Yes. Using acceleration you do not even get the correct units.
 
Orodruin said:
Well, obviously. I expected the OP to do this bit of thinking for himself.

Big mistake to assume the obvious !
The answer is 'obvious' when you know it
 
lychette said:
Big mistake to assume the obvious !
The answer is 'obvious' when you know it
Orodruin was saying it should have been obvious to me that he was leaving it to jrlinton to figure out that time was the other factor.
I had chipped in because it is also true that force and distance for which it is applied leads to the velocity if the force profile is known. Average force won't do that, though.
 
  • #10
haruspex said:
Orodruin was saying it should have been obvious to me that he was leaving it to jrlinton to figure out that time was the other factor.
I had chipped in because it is also true that force and distance for which it is applied leads to the velocity if the force profile is known. Average force won't do that, though.

Ah...OK... I did not realize there was some understanding between your good self, Orodruin and jrlinton.
Nevertheless stating that something is 'obvious' in a post where someone needs help seems negative to me.
 

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