What is the magnitude of the net force required for these two physical tasks?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the net force required for two physical tasks involving a karate fist and a tennis ball. For the fist, with a mass of 0.43 kg, achieving a velocity of 5.9 m/s in 0.25 seconds results in an average net force of approximately 10.15 N, although concerns are raised about the assumption of constant acceleration. In the case of the tennis ball, which accelerates to 43 m/s over a distance of 39 cm, the calculated net force is around 1.37 N, but the use of kinematic equations for constant acceleration is debated. Participants emphasize the importance of applying the impulse-momentum theorem for more accurate results. The discussion highlights the need for clarity in understanding net force and acceleration in physics problems.
rwofford
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I have these two problems and I can't seem to find the right answer...

1)A person with a blackbelt in karate has a fist that has a mass of 0.43 kg. Starting from rest, this fist attains a velocity of 5.9 m/s in 0.25 s. What is the magnitude of the average net force applied to the fist to achieve this level of performance?

2)When a 58 g tennis ball is served, it accelerates from rest to a constant speed of 43 m/s. The impact with the racket gives the ball a constant acceleration over a distance of 39 cm. What is the magnitude of the net force acting on the ball?

I know the answers are in N, but I've tried using F=ma which hasn't worked...maybe i am confused about what the magnitude of a net force is...please help!
 
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Show us what you've done and we would able to help you from there.
 
You need to use a very important theorems here: the impulse-momentm theorem

Impulse = average net force * time of application = net change in momentum
 
well...i dre the fre body diagram for the first one...and labeled what i know. because i have the initial velocity and elocity and time i solved for the acceleration using: V=Vo+at and I found the acceleration to be 23.6 m/s^2.
For the mass i know it is .43 kg
I used F=ma and i got 10.15 N...
 
That seems to be correct, although, technically, you shouldn't be using v = u + at, since it hasn't be explicitly mentioned that the accelaration is constant (in the first problem).

&lt;a&gt; = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}, where <a> is the average accelaration.
 
so on the second one, i did the same thing only i solved for acceleration by using v^2=Vo^2+2ax and found the acceleration to be 23.7. I used f=ma again and got it to be 1.37...does that sound right?
 
Yes, it does.
 
It is not correct to use kinematical equation for constant acceleration here. Impulse-momentum gives the answer in a more technially correct form, and you have to less calculation.
 
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