What is the Average Pressure on an Apple During Impact?

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The discussion revolves around calculating the average pressure exerted on a 0.3 kg apple falling from a height of 40 cm onto a flat surface. The apple comes to rest in 0.1 seconds, with 4 cm² of contact area during impact. The correct approach involves calculating the velocity at impact using the formula v = √(2gh), resulting in 2.83 m/s, and then determining the average force as Δp/Δt = (0.3 * 2.83) / (0.1) = 8.48 N. The average pressure is then calculated as force divided by surface area, leading to the correct answer of 21,000 Pa. A common mistake noted was confusing the area measurement, emphasizing the importance of accurate unit conversion.
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Homework Statement


1. A 0.3 kg apple falls from rest through a height of 40 cm onto a flat surface. Upon impact, the apple comes to rest in 0.1 s, and 4 cm2 of the apple comes into contact with the surface during the impact. What is the average pressure exerted on the apple during the impact? Ignore air resistance.
(A) 67,000 Pa
(B) 21,000 Pa
(C) 6,700 Pa
(D) 210 Pa
(E) 67 Pa
(the answer is b)

Homework Equations


p = mv
f = Δp/Δt
v = √(2gh)
pressure = force / surface area

The Attempt at a Solution


The velocity the apple is traveling at when it hits the ground is
v = √(2gh) = √(2* 10 * 0.4) = 2.83 m/s
The average force on the apple is
Δp/Δt = (0.3 * 2.83) / (0.1) = 8.48 N
So the average pressure on the apple should be
force/surface area = 8.48/(0.042) = 5300 Pa

But that is not an answer. What did I do wrong?
 
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nhmllr said:

Homework Statement


1. A 0.3 kg apple falls from rest through a height of 40 cm onto a flat surface. Upon impact, the apple comes to rest in 0.1 s, and 4 cm2 of the apple comes into contact with the surface during the impact. What is the average pressure exerted on the apple during the impact? Ignore air resistance.
(A) 67,000 Pa
(B) 21,000 Pa
(C) 6,700 Pa
(D) 210 Pa
(E) 67 Pa
(the answer is b)

Homework Equations


p = mv
f = Δp/Δt
v = √(2gh)
pressure = force / surface area

The Attempt at a Solution


The velocity the apple is traveling at when it hits the ground is
v = √(2gh) = √(2* 10 * 0.4) = 2.83 m/s
The average force on the apple is
Δp/Δt = (0.3 * 2.83) / (0.1) = 8.48 N
So the average pressure on the apple should be
force/surface area = 8.48/(0.042) = 5300 Pa

But that is not an answer. What did I do wrong?

4 cm^2 is not the same as (4 cm)^2.
 
Dick said:
4 cm^2 is not the same as (4 cm)^2.
...Whoops

Thanks
 
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