How to calculate rebound speed of ball hitting a wall?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the rebound speed of a ball after it collides with a wall, specifically a ball with a mass of 0.075 kg traveling at 2.20 m/s. It is established that 20% of the ball's initial kinetic energy is dissipated during the collision. The correct rebound speed is determined to be 1.97 m/s, derived from the remaining 80% of the initial kinetic energy, calculated using the formula for kinetic energy, KE = 1/2 mv².

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of kinetic energy calculations (KE = 1/2 mv²)
  • Basic knowledge of impulse and momentum concepts
  • Familiarity with energy conservation principles
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of energy conservation in collisions
  • Learn about impulse and its relation to momentum
  • Explore examples of elastic and inelastic collisions
  • Investigate the effects of energy dissipation in real-world scenarios
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and energy conservation, as well as educators looking for practical examples of collision problems.

MattDutra123
Messages
15
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A ball of mass 0.075 is traveling horizontally with a speed of 2.20 m/s. It strikes a vertical wall and rebounds horizontally. Due to the collision with the wall, 20% of the ball's initial kinetic energy is dissipated.
Show that the ball rebounds from the wall with a speed of 1.97 m/s.

Homework Equations


Impulse = F*t
Kinetic Energy = 1/2mv2

The Attempt at a Solution


I attempted to use conservation of energy by having the initial kinetic energy (0.075*2.202) be equal to 20% final kinetic energy (0.075*v2*1/5) This gave me a result of 2.2 m/s. I don't know how to reach the desired result of 1.97 m/s.
Apologies in advance for bad formatting.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
MattDutra123 said:
20% of the ball's initial kinetic energy is dissipated.
That means 20% was lost.
MattDutra123 said:
the initial kinetic energy (0.075*2.202) be equal to 20% final kinetic energy
That would be the ball gaining energy, ending with five times what it had to start with.
 
Last edited:
haruspex said:
That means 20% was lost.

That would be the ball gaining energy, ending with five times what it hard to start with.
So if I divide the right hand side by 1/5 as opposed to multiplying it as I did, would my approach work?
 
MattDutra123 said:
So if I divide the right hand side by 1/5 as opposed to multiplying it as I did, would my approach work?

No, because the final energy is not 1/5 of the initial energy.

20% of the ball's initial kinetic energy is dissipated.

It lost 20% of its energy. That means 80% is left. The final energy is 80% of the original energy.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: MattDutra123
RPinPA said:
No, because the final energy is not 1/5 of the initial energy.

20% of the ball's initial kinetic energy is dissipated.

It lost 20% of its energy. That means 80% is left. The final energy is 80% of the original energy.
Thank you. Very basic misunderstanding.
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
6K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
8K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K