What is the final velocity of a bouncing ball after hitting a wall?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the final velocity of a ball after it bounces off a wall, focusing on the conservation of momentum. The equation m1v1 = m1v2 + MV is examined, particularly when v1 equals -v2 and the wall's mass (M) is considered infinite. It is clarified that the wall moves with an infinitesimally small velocity, allowing the momentum equation to hold true. The limit of M approaching infinity demonstrates that the wall's effect on the system can be negligible. Understanding this concept is crucial for reconciling the mathematical results with physical behavior during the collision.
imsmooth
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I've seen the solution to finding the velocity after a ball bounces off of a wall.
http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/ideas/bounce.htm

If a ball of mass m1 and velocity v1 hit a massive wall, what is the final velocity. I understand the math. What I find a little confusing is reconciling the math and how the equation
m1v1 = m1v2 + MV satisfies conservation of momentum if v1 = -v2 and V = 0.

Is it that the massive wall of mass M moves will an infinitesimally small velocity such that MV balances the
-2m1v2?
 
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Yes, you can see this by solving it for a finite M and then taking the limit as M goes to infinity.
 

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