How Does Momentum Change When a Ball Bounces Off a Wall?

AI Thread Summary
When a ball bounces off a wall, its momentum changes based on its velocity direction before and after impact. The initial momentum is represented as P1 = -mv and the final momentum as P2 = mv, leading to a change in momentum of P2 - P1 = 2mv. The discussion emphasizes that while the magnitudes of momentum before and after the bounce are equal, the sign depends on the chosen direction as positive. The confusion regarding negative values arises from the vector nature of velocity. Ultimately, understanding the direction of velocity is crucial for calculating momentum changes accurately.
yamugushi
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1. Homework Statement
A ball is rolled into a wall and bounces back at the same speed, the change in momentum is?

2. Homework Equations
Ein = Eout

3. The Attempt at a Solution
I thought it was m(v) but I got it wrong (doing test corrections ATM)

Note I'm having trouble editing, so I made a new thread, I am not trying to spam.
 
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If the velocity before impact is v, what is the velocity after impact?

(remember, velocity is a vector quantity, so direction is important)
 
So it's be -mv... but there aren't any negative answers:
I have
0
1.5
.5
2
and what I answered MV (all above are times MV as well)
 
yamugushi said:
So it's be -mv... but there aren't any negative answers:

So momentum before is mv, and momentum after is -mv, so that change in momentum is ?
 
2mv?
 
yamugushi said:
2mv?

is that one of the answers?
 
rock.freak667 said:
is that one of the answers?

yes, the answers were:
0mv
1mv
1.5mv
.5mv
2mv
 
Just to note:

The original velocity must have been negative. The initial momentum was P_1=-mv.
Following the bounce, the final momentum is P_2=mv.
Hence the positive answer: P2-P1=2mv
Either way the magnitudes are the same.
 
Winzer said:
Just to note:

The original velocity must have been negative. The initial momentum was P_1=-mv.
Following the bounce, the final momentum is P_2=mv.
Hence the positive answer: P2-P1=2mv
Either way the magnitudes are the same.

Yes the magnitudes are the same, but it didn't have to be negative. It depends on the direction you choose as positive.
 
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