Impulse integration for a Tennis Racket hitting a Tennis Ball

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the integration of impulse over time in the context of physics, specifically regarding the impulse experienced by a tennis racket when hitting a tennis ball. Participants clarify that integrating impulse from time intervals ##t_i## to ##t_f## is appropriate because impulse is a function of time, represented as ##\vec J(t)##. The alternative suggestion of integrating from impulse values ##j_i## to ##j_f## is deemed less suitable unless those values are known. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying the variables involved in the integration process.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of impulse and its relation to force and time
  • Familiarity with calculus, specifically integration techniques
  • Knowledge of physics concepts related to motion and forces
  • Ability to interpret mathematical notation in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between force and impulse in classical mechanics
  • Learn about the mathematical principles of integration in physics
  • Explore the concept of cumulative impulse and its applications
  • Investigate the implications of omitting variable dependencies in mathematical expressions
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in the mathematical modeling of physical interactions, particularly in sports science.

member 731016
Homework Statement
Please see below
Relevant Equations
Please see below
For this,
1684125887202.png

Can someone please tell me why they integrate the impulse over from ##t_i## to ##t_f##? Why not from ##j_i## to ##j_f##? It seems strange integrating impulse with respect to time.

Many thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
ChiralSuperfields said:
Homework Statement: Please see below
Relevant Equations: Please see below

For this,
View attachment 326569
Can someone please tell me why they integrate the impulse over from ##t_i## to ##t_f##? Why not from ##j_i## to ##j_f##? It seems strange integrating impulse with respect to time.

Many thanks!
If you are using
##\displaystyle \int d \textbf{J}##
and you have the ##\textbf{J}##'s at the endpoints, the use the ##\textbf{J}##'s.

If you don't have the ##\textbf{J}##'s then you need to use
##\displaystyle \int \textbf{F}(t) \, dt##

-Dan
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: member 731016
ChiralSuperfields said:
Can someone please tell me why they integrate the impulse over from ##t_i## to ##t_f##? Why not from ##j_i## to ##j_f##? It seems strange integrating impulse with respect to time.
If you think of ##\vec J## as the cumulative impulse given over some period of time then ##\vec J=\vec J(t)## and it is reasonable to write ##\int_{t=t_i}^{t_f}d\vec J(t)##. But omitting the "t=" from the bounds is a bit naughty.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: topsquark and member 731016
haruspex said:
If you think of ##\vec J## as the cumulative impulse given over some period of time then ##\vec J=\vec J(t)## and it is reasonable to write ##\int_{t=t_i}^{t_f}d\vec J(t)##. But omitting the "t=" from the bounds is a bit naughty.
Thank you for your reply @topsquark and @haruspex!

@haruspex, now that you say J is a function of t I think that helps.

Many thanks!
 

Similar threads

Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
9K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
9K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K