How Do You Calculate Force in a Momentum Problem?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating force in a momentum problem involving a ball striking a wall and rebounding. The context includes the mass of the ball, its velocities before and after impact, and the duration of contact with the wall.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between impulse and momentum, questioning the application of equations related to force and momentum change. There is uncertainty about the correct equations and how to apply them to the problem.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, discussing the definitions of impulse and momentum. Some have suggested a clearer approach to defining initial and final momentum, while others express confusion about the equations presented.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of clarity regarding the use of indices for initial and final states in the equations, and some participants question the necessity of these distinctions in this context.

street
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Hi. I just recently switched into a physics course midyear, and I really don't know what's going on. Help with a few of these questions would be greatly appreciated.

Homework Statement


A 2.5 kg ball strikes a wall at 8 m/s and rebounds at 7m/s. The ball is in contact with the wall for 0.2 seconds. What is the force on the wall?


Homework Equations


Im really not sure. Is this it?
F?t=?p

F(1)?t=m(1)v(1,f) - m(1)v(1,i)

F(2)?t=m(2)v(2,f) - m(2)v(2,i)

The Attempt at a Solution



I'm not sure how to apply that information into the equations, and I'm not even sure if the equations are right.

Please help
 
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street said:
I'm not sure how to apply that information into the equations, and I'm not even sure if the equations are right.

Please help

I don't see why you introduced all those 'initial' and 'final indices', since the only thing you have to know and apply here is that impulse equals change in momentum. You know the definition of impulse, and you know the initial and final (if you like it better) momentum.
 
F∆t =∆p ?

I still don't understand how to do it.
 
street said:
F∆t =∆p ?

I still don't understand how to do it.

Yep. and ∆p=m∆v

So, F∆t=m∆v
Finding F... F= m∆v/∆t
 
street said:
F∆t =∆p ?

I still don't understand how to do it.

Define the final and initial momentum. The change in momentum is represented by the difference between the final and initial momentum.
 

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