Linear momentum handball problem

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SUMMARY

The problem involves calculating the change in momentum of a handball with a mass of 0.10 kg, initially traveling at 30 m/s and rebounding at 24 m/s. The change in momentum is calculated using the formula: change in momentum = mv2 - mv1. When considering direction, the initial velocity (30 m/s) is taken as positive, while the rebound velocity (24 m/s) is treated as negative, resulting in a change in momentum of 5.4 kg·m/s. The final answer reflects the magnitude of the change, which is always expressed as a positive value.

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Homework Statement


A handball of mass 0.10 kg, traveling horizontally at 30 m/s, strikes a wall and rebounds at 24 m/s. What is the change in the momentum of the ball?


Homework Equations



change in momentum = mv2 - mv1

The Attempt at a Solution


Do you take 24 as negative or positive? If you take it as neative you get -2.4-3=-5.4 if you take it as positive you get 2.4-3= -.60
both answers given in the problem are either positive 5.4 or positive 6.0. Thanks for your help
 
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If you take the 30 m/s velocity as positive, then you'd better take the 24 m/s as negative since it's going in the opposite direction. For the final answer they just want the magnitude of the change in momentum, which is always positive.
 

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