Calculating Average Acceleration of a Tennis Ball During Contact with the Floor

In summary, to find the average acceleration of the tennis ball during contact with the floor, you can use the initial and rebound heights to calculate the velocity before and after the collision. Then, using the change in momentum and time interval of contact, you can determine the impulse and ultimately the average acceleration.
  • #1
barobinson630
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Homework Statement



You drop a tennis ball from 4.36 m. It rebounds to height of 2.45m. If the ball is in contact with the floor for 10.0 ms, what is its average acceleration during that contact?

Homework Equations


we know initial height to be 4.36 m
acceleration due to gravity to be 9.8 m/s^2
contact for 10.1 ms
rebound height of 2.45 m


The Attempt at a Solution


Im completely lost, don't know where to start
 
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  • #2
Start by finding the velocity of the ball just before it hits the floor and just after it bounces off the floor.
 
  • #3
Welcome to PF barobinson630!

Given the initial height, you can figure out the velocity of the ball upon impact. From that, you know its momentum just before hitting the ground.

Given the maximum height it reaches on the rebound, you can easily figure out its velocity at the instant of leaving contact with the ground. So you know its momentum just after the collision.

So, you know the change in momentum of the ball that occurred as a result of the contact force from the ground. If you know the change in momentum of the ball, then you know the impulse that was supplied to the ball (since these are the same thing). You also know the time interval over which this impulse was applied...
 
  • #4
nevermind...i figured it out
 
  • #5
thank you though!
 

1. What is the "Tennis ball drop problem"?

The "Tennis ball drop problem" is a physics experiment that involves dropping a tennis ball from a certain height and measuring the height of the ball's bounce. This experiment is used to demonstrate the concept of conservation of energy.

2. How is the "Tennis ball drop problem" set up?

The experiment involves setting up a platform at a certain height and dropping a tennis ball onto a flat surface, such as a concrete floor or a table. The height of the platform and the surface the ball is dropped on should be consistent throughout the experiment.

3. What measurements are needed for the "Tennis ball drop problem"?

The main measurements needed for this experiment are the initial height from which the tennis ball is dropped, and the height of the ball's bounce. Other measurements that can be taken include the mass of the tennis ball and the surface area of the ball.

4. What is the purpose of the "Tennis ball drop problem"?

The purpose of this experiment is to demonstrate the principle of conservation of energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can only be transferred or converted from one form to another. By measuring the height of the ball's bounce, we can see how energy is transferred from potential energy to kinetic energy and back again.

5. How can the "Tennis ball drop problem" be used in real-world applications?

The principles demonstrated in the "Tennis ball drop problem" can be applied to various real-world scenarios, such as understanding the physics of bouncing balls, calculating the energy required for objects to reach certain heights, and designing efficient structures that can absorb and transfer energy. This experiment can also be used in educational settings to teach students about energy conservation and the scientific method.

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