How Do Sudden and Gradual Forces Affect a Mass Differently?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of sudden and gradual forces on a mass, exploring the differences in acceleration and momentum change. Participants are examining the definitions and implications of these types of forces in a physics context.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the definitions of sudden and gradual forces, with some suggesting that all loads may be perceived as sudden. Others are exploring how these forces relate to changes in momentum and acceleration over different time scales.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with various interpretations of sudden and gradual forces being explored. Some participants have provided insights into how these forces can be defined in relation to time scales and momentum change, but there is no explicit consensus on the definitions or implications.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the lack of standard terminology for sudden and gradual forces, indicating that the definitions may vary among participants. Additionally, the discussion references the need for specific problem contexts to clarify these concepts further.

chandran
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Force cause a mass to accelerate.

1)But what does a sudden force do?

2)What does an gradual force do?

What is a sudden load or gradual force ? what is their difference in result? In my opinion all loads are suddenly applied?
 
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Not to be flippant but a sudden force cause sudden acceleration and a gradual force causes gradual acceleration. Do you have a specific problem in mind?
 
If you have previously defined, say, length and time scales suitable to your
problem, then you might define a "sudden force" as a force that over a time period much smaller than your time scale imparts an appreciable change in some object's momentum (if it is the motion of some object you're studying).

A "gradual force" would need to act over a time period roughly of the same order as the time scale in order to cause an appreciable change in the object's momentum.

Note, however, that neither term is strictly standard terms, and I've just given one interpretation of what you seem to be asking.
 
[tex]\Delta p = \int F(t) dt[/tex]

Thats the definition of how force affects momentum. If the force is a short sharp blow, like a delta function, then you'll get the same change in momentum instantaneously as a very weak force applied for a long time. Provided the integrals are the time, you'll get the same result, just in different time scales.
 

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