How does changing the duration of a collision affect impulse

In summary, car bumpers are designed to reduce the force of impact by spreading it out over a longer period of time. This raises the question of how this impacts the impulse between collisions, as both force and time are proportional to impulse. However, it is believed that regardless of the bumper material or effectiveness, the impulse will remain the same. This is due to the inverse relationship between force and time, leading to no net change in the impulse experienced during collisions.
  • #1
AjPat
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Homework Statement



Car bumpers are able to reduce the force of an impact by allowing the force to the spread over a greater duration of time. I am wondering how this affects the impulse between collisions because while increasing the time it is decreasing the force, both of which are proportional to impulse. So will the amount of impulse stay the same between collisions with different bumpers?

Homework Equations



p=mv

The Attempt at a Solution


I believe regardless of the bumper material or how effective it is, the collision will maintain its impulse. This is because to the extent to which the force is reduced the time is greatened leading to no net change in the impulse experienced.[/B]
 
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  • #2
Yes, correct, but a more precise answer can be arrived at by noting the definition of impulse in terms of momentum
 

1. How does increasing the duration of a collision affect impulse?

Increasing the duration of a collision decreases the impulse. This is because impulse is equal to the force applied multiplied by the time it is applied for. When the duration of the collision is increased, the force is spread out over a longer period of time, resulting in a decrease in impulse.

2. How does decreasing the duration of a collision affect impulse?

Decreasing the duration of a collision increases the impulse. This is because impulse is equal to the force applied multiplied by the time it is applied for. When the duration of the collision is decreased, the force is applied over a shorter period of time, resulting in an increase in impulse.

3. Does the material of the objects involved in a collision affect the duration of the collision?

Yes, the material of the objects can affect the duration of a collision. Objects made of softer materials tend to have longer collision durations compared to objects made of harder materials. This is because softer materials can absorb more energy and deform during a collision, resulting in a longer duration.

4. How does the mass of the objects involved in a collision affect the duration of the collision?

The mass of the objects involved in a collision does not directly affect the duration of the collision. However, it can indirectly affect it by influencing the force applied during the collision. Objects with larger mass will have a greater force applied to them during a collision, resulting in a longer duration as the force is spread out over a larger mass.

5. Is there a relationship between collision duration and the resulting change in momentum?

Yes, there is a relationship between collision duration and the resulting change in momentum. The longer the duration of the collision, the smaller the change in momentum will be. This is because a longer duration means a smaller force is applied, resulting in a smaller change in momentum. Conversely, a shorter duration of collision will result in a larger change in momentum as a larger force is applied over a shorter period of time.

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