What is the constant force exerted on a ball by a wall during a collision?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a 5.00 kg ball colliding with a wall, initially moving at 6.0 m/s to the left and bouncing off at 5.0 m/s to the right. The task is to determine the constant force exerted on the ball by the wall during the collision, which lasts for 0.30 seconds.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of momentum before and after the collision, questioning the change in momentum and its implications for Newton's second law. There is an exploration of whether the calculated force seems reasonable given the values involved.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided calculations and confirmed the approach taken by the original poster. There is a recognition of the relationship between force and the rate of change of momentum, but questions remain about the magnitude of the force calculated.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing the implications of the calculated force being relatively small, raising questions about the physical feasibility of the result within the context of the problem.

mortho
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Homework Statement


A 5.00 kg ball strikes a wall with a velocity of 6.0 m/s to the left. The ball bounces off with a velocity of 5.0 m/s to the right. If the ball is in contact with the wall for 0.30 s, what is the constant force exerted on the ball by the wall?



Homework Equations



f=p/t

The Attempt at a Solution



Ok so i found p which i did mv or (5)(11) then plugged it to p/t and did 55/0.30 and got 183.3 N to the right...is that correct?

Thanks!
 
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Initial momentum is 5*-6=-30 kgms^-1

Final momentum is 5*+5=+25kgms^-1

what is the change in momentum? how does Newton's 2nd law apply?
 
oh...so 5 **Net force on an object is equal to its rate change of momentum.
 
but that's such a small number is that possible??
 
mortho said:
Net force on an object is equal to its rate change of momentum.
YesThe change in momentum=Final-Initial=25-(-30)=55kgms^-1

and by Newton's 2nd law:F=55/0.3

so you are correct.
 

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