The impulse of an object during deployment

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the impulse of an object during its deployment, specifically focusing on a release mechanism involving a string and a basket moving down a zipline. Participants explore the implications of the deployment method on impulse and related concepts such as energy and momentum.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to understand how to find the impulse of an object when deployed, providing context about the release mechanism.
  • Another participant requests clarification on the deployment method, suggesting that a diagram might help in understanding the setup.
  • A participant describes the release mechanism as a string that allows the basket to be released without direct contact, noting that it is deployed down a zipline.
  • There is a question about whether the impulse being discussed pertains to the release mechanism alone or the entire trip down the zipline.
  • One participant suggests that if the car is much heavier than the string and does not swing when released, the impulse from letting go of the string may be minimal.
  • A later reply discusses the challenges of calculating impulse, emphasizing the need for knowledge of the time taken and proposing that energy considerations might be more effective for determining the speed and momentum of the object.
  • It is mentioned that the kinetic energy gained by the car is primarily due to a change in height unless additional energy sources are involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the best approach to calculate impulse, with some favoring energy considerations over momentum. There is no consensus on the implications of the release mechanism on impulse, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the best method for calculation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the calculation of impulse requires knowledge of the time taken, and there are discussions about the variability of force during the deployment process. The potential influence of additional energy sources, such as springs or rubber bands, is also mentioned but not fully explored.

delta76
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how do I find the impulse of an object when it is deployed. (here is an image of the deployment method, It is just a string)
Thanks so much!
delta
 

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delta76 said:
how do I find the impulse of an object when it is deployed. (here is an image of the deployment method, It is just a string)
Thanks so much!
delta
I'm having trouble understanding what is happening in that picture -- can you describe it or provide a diagram? From the picture it looks like a high school lab...?
 
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russ_watters said:
I'm having trouble understanding what is happening in that picture -- can you describe it or provide a diagram? From the picture it looks like a high school lab...?
thanks so much for responding! okay so the picture is of the release mechanism, which is just a string attached to a bottom of the basket. the string is held so that the basket can be released without the person touching the basket. also the basket is being released down a zipline.
delta
 
delta76 said:
thanks so much for responding! okay so the picture is of the release mechanism, which is just a string attached to a bottom of the basket. the string is held so that the basket can be released without the person touching the basket. also the basket is being released down a zipline.
You're welcome!

So are you asking about the impulse provided by the release mechanism or by the whole trip on the zipline?
 
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russ_watters said:
You're welcome!

So are you asking about the impulse provided by the release mechanism or by the whole trip on the zipline?

Im asking about only the impulse provided by the release mechanism
thanks!
delta
 
delta76 said:
Im asking about only the impulse provided by the release mechanism
The string is just holding the car still and then you just let go of the string? I suppose if you don't hold the car back and it doesn't swing when released, and the car is a lot heavier than the string, there is little or no impulse provided by letting it go.
 
russ_watters said:
The string is just holding the car still and then you just let go of the string? I suppose if you don't hold the car back and it doesn't swing when released, and the car is a lot heavier than the string, there is little or no impulse provided by letting it go.
thank you so much! this is super helpful!
delta
 
delta76 said:
how do I find the impulse of an object
The problem with trying to find the "Impulse" is that it requires knowledge of the time taken
Impulse = Force X time
If you want to find the speed (and then the Momentum, if you want it) it is often better to consider the Energy involved.
The Energy supplied is Force X Distance and that would turn up as Kinetic Energy. In your case, the Force can vary over the period so you could do some integration - or even measurement of force over the range but time is not an issue so that method has advantages. Actually, the Kinetic Energy gained by the 'car' will just be due to the change in height, whatever arrangement you use. That's true unless there is some extra energy stored in spring or rubber band - which I cannot see.
I always go for Energy, rather than Momentum when possible if I have a problem to solve.
PS Do you have a method for actually measuring the final speed of the car?
 

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