How Much Force Does a Golf Club Apply to a Ball?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the work done by a golf club on a golf ball weighing 0.045 kg, which reaches a speed of 42 m/s. The work done is determined to be 39.69 Joules. To find the average force applied by the club, the problem states that the force acts parallel to the ball's motion over a distance of 0.030 m, and the weight of the ball is ignored. The kinetic energy change from 0 to (1/2) mv² is essential for understanding the work-energy principle applied in this scenario.

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  • Understanding of Newton's Second Law (F = ma)
  • Knowledge of kinetic energy formula (KE = 1/2 mv²)
  • Familiarity with work-energy principle (W = ΔKE)
  • Basic algebra for solving equations
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PhysicFailure
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Homework Statement



When a 0.045 kg golf ball takes off after being hit, its speed is 42 m/s.
(a) How much work is done on the ball by the club?

---> 39.69 J
(b) Assume that the force of the golf club acts parallel to the motion of the ball and that the club is in contact with the ball for a distance of 0.030 m. Ignore the weight of the ball and determine the average force applied to the ball by the club.


Homework Equations



WNCF= \DeltaME<sub>TOTAL</sub>

The Attempt at a Solution



for part a I did this and got the correct answer in Joules: 0.5(0.045kg)(422

I am confused at what to do in the next part. I did the same attempt but confused when I am told to ignore the weight of the ball...
 
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2. Homework Equations

Wncf= \DeltaMEtotal
 
PhysicFailure said:

Homework Statement



When a 0.045 kg golf ball takes off after being hit, its speed is 42 m/s.
(a) How much work is done on the ball by the club?

---> 39.69 J
(b) Assume that the force of the golf club acts parallel to the motion of the ball and that the club is in contact with the ball for a distance of 0.030 m. Ignore the weight of the ball and determine the average force applied to the ball by the club.


Homework Equations



WNCF= \DeltaME<sub>TOTAL</sub>

The Attempt at a Solution



for part a I did this and got the correct answer in Joules: 0.5(0.045kg)(422

I am confused at what to do in the next part. I did the same attempt but confused when I am told to ignore the weight of the ball...

Okay: the kinetic energy of the ball changed from 0 to (1/2) mv2. That energy had to come from somewhere- the work done on it.

Now do you know that when on object accelerates from 0 with constant (or average) acceleration a to t seconds it reachs speed a*t and goes a distance (1/2)at2. You know that the ball accelerated to 42 m/s while going 0.30m. That gives two equations in a and t. Once know a, the average acceleration, F= ma gives the average force.
 

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