Tennis Racket Dynamics: Impacts, Forces & Weight

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the dynamics of a tennis racket and ball during impact, specifically analyzing a scenario where a 1000g racket strikes a 60g tennis ball. The player swings the racket at 8 m/s, and the ball approaches at 18 m/s, rebounding at 38 m/s. The conservation of momentum is crucial for calculating the racket's speed post-impact, while the average force exerted by the racket on the ball can be determined using the impulse-momentum theorem over a contact time of 10 ms. The average force can then be compared to the weight of the ball to assess the interaction's magnitude.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of momentum conservation principles
  • Familiarity with impulse-momentum theorem
  • Basic knowledge of Newton's laws of motion
  • Ability to perform calculations involving mass and velocity
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the conservation of momentum in elastic and inelastic collisions
  • Learn about impulse and how it relates to force and time
  • Explore the dynamics of sports equipment and their impact on performance
  • Investigate the effects of racket weight and swing speed on ball trajectory
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, sports scientists, and engineers interested in the mechanics of sports equipment and performance optimization in tennis.

aligass2004
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Homework Statement


A tennis player swings her 1000g racket with a speed of 8m/s. She hits a 60g tennis ball that was approaching her at a speed of 18m/s. The ball rebounds at 38 m/s.
a.) How fast is her racket moving immediately after the impact? You can ignore the interaction of the racket with her hand for the brief duration of the collision.
b.) If the tennis ball and racket are in contact for 10ms, what is the average force that the racket exerts on the ball?
c.) How does this compare to the ball's weight?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I tried using m1v1 = m2v2 for part a, but I don't think it's right to use that equation in the first place.
 
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aligass2004 said:
I tried using m1v1 = m2v2 for part a, but I don't think it's right to use that equation in the first place.
Why don't you think that its the correct equation to use?
 

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