Simple Concept Question Regarding Impulse and Momentum

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a scenario involving impulse and momentum, specifically examining the effects on an egg when dropped onto different surfaces, such as a floor versus a pillow. Participants are exploring the relationship between impulse, change in momentum, and maximum force in the context of this problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to determine which of the options (impulse, change in momentum, maximum force) is smaller when an egg is dropped onto a pillow versus a hard surface. There are discussions about the definitions of impulse and force, and how they relate to the scenario. Questions are raised about the implications of force duration and its effect on the egg's integrity.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the relationship between impulse and force. Some guidance has been offered regarding the nature of impulse and its dependence on time and force, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct answer to the original question.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating assumptions about the definitions of impulse and force, as well as the conditions under which an egg might break. There is an emphasis on the effects of time and force in the context of the problem, but no definitive conclusions have been reached.

etherealcalc
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It's simple to everyone but me haha
1. Homework Statement
We toss an egg onto the floor, and it breaks. We toss an egg onto a pillow on the floor, and it does not break. The egg that does not break experiences a smaller:
A. Impulse
B. Change in momentum
C. Maximum Force

Homework Equations


Ft=delta(p)

The Attempt at a Solution


A and B are the same answer, so if I were to just want to find the answer, it would be C by POE because they both can't be right. However, I thought impulse was the reason that the egg/pillow combo doesn't shatter the egg, because there's more time. Is it C because impulse implies that the egg had to bounce a bit up, and it doesn't do that, it just shatters?
 
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etherealcalc said:
A and B are the same
Right.
etherealcalc said:
Is it C because impulse implies that the egg had to bounce a bit up
No.
Impulse is force times time (as an integral). What is likely to break an egg, a small force for a long time or a large force for a short time? Which would you prefer to be subjected to?
 
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Perhaps think about the effect the pillow has on the stopping distance. Apply the equations of motion to think about the deceleration and Newtons law get the force.

Edit: c says maximum force.
 
haruspex said:
Right.

No.
Impulse is force times time (as an integral). What is likely to break an egg, a small force for a long time or a large force for a short time? Which would you prefer to be subjected to?
I would think either would break an egg, but couldn't a small force for a longer time possibly be a smaller impulse?
 
etherealcalc said:
I would think either would break an egg, but couldn't a small force for a longer time possibly be a smaller impulse?
Consider a given impulse spread over either a short time or a long time. If spread (evenly) over a long time then the peak force is small; if only taking a short time the force must be large.
For a small force, consider, say, the weight of a fly, about 10-4N. If a fly sits on an egg for a year, what is the impulse? Could it break the egg?
What about the same impulse spread over 1ms?
 
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