Investigating Impulse & Acceleration in Youth Soccer Heading

AI Thread Summary
Recent discussions highlight concerns about the impact of heading in youth soccer, particularly regarding impulse and acceleration calculations. Participants are working through the physics of heading a size 4 soccer ball, focusing on impulse as the change in momentum and the relationship between impulse and force over time. The importance of vector analysis, especially in relation to the angle of deflection, is emphasized for accurate calculations. Some users encountered difficulties with their calculations, particularly in vector subtraction and applying the law of cosines. Understanding these principles is crucial for determining both the impulse imparted to the ball and the average acceleration of the player's head during impact.
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Recent studies have raised concern about `heading' in youth soccer (i.e., hitting the ball with the head). A soccer player `heads' a size 4 ball, deflecting it by 52.0°, and keeps its speed of 10.00 m/s constant. A size 4 ball has a mass of approximately 0.302 kg. What is the magnitude of the impulse which the player must impart to the ball?

(part b)
If the player's head has a mass of 3.80 kg, what is the magnitude of the average acceleration of the player's head during the impact? Assume that over the brief time of the impact, 27.90 ms, the player's head can be treated separately from the player's body.

um... I'm not really sure how to start the problem
i only know that impulse is the the change in momentum pf - pi... i dunt see how this would tie in with the problem, any help would be appreciated
 
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I too am having difficulty on this one
 
whereisccguys said:
i only know that impulse is the the change in momentum pf - pi... i dunt see how this would tie in with the problem, any help would be appreciated
Well, since they ask you for the impulse, I'd say it ties in quite nicely. :smile:

Impulse = \Delta (m\vec{v}). Draw a diagram of the initial and final velocity vectors and subtract them. Find the magnitude of the impulse.

Once you've found the impulse, then use:
Impulse = F \Delta t to find the average force. Then use Newton's 2nd law to find the acceleration.
 
Alright, I did that. My numbers are that the mass of the ball is 0.252 kg, it was deflected by 39 degrees, and the velocity of the ball is 18.8 m/s. I found that the Impulse = 2.05 kg*m/s. That is not correct with the computer. What am I doing wrong?
 
i got the right answer thanks a lot Doc Al
 
The angle is confusing me. Do you have to use that somewhere to find the impulse?
 
Punchlinegirl said:
The angle is confusing me. Do you have to use that somewhere to find the impulse?
Yes, you need to know the angle in order to determine the change in velocity. Remember, velocity is a vector.
 
AstroturfHead said:
Alright, I did that. My numbers are that the mass of the ball is 0.252 kg, it was deflected by 39 degrees, and the velocity of the ball is 18.8 m/s. I found that the Impulse = 2.05 kg*m/s. That is not correct with the computer. What am I doing wrong?

Hopefully this isn't too late. I did the exact same mistake. I believe you subtracted the two vectors wrong. You should use the law of cosines which is c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2*a*b*cos(45) then multiply by m.

You should get an answer around 5.____

Hope this helps.
 
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