When does initial and final speed come into play when calculating momentum?

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Initial speed refers to the velocity of an object before an event, while final speed is the velocity after the event, such as a bounce. In the context of a bouncing ball, the initial speed is the velocity just before impact with the ground, and the final speed is the velocity just after the bounce. The conservation of momentum is typically applied in collisions, but for a bouncing ball, it may be more relevant to consider energy conservation. Understanding these definitions is crucial for correctly applying momentum calculations. Clarifying these concepts can help resolve confusion regarding their application in momentum equations.
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im having trouble find out when exactly is the intial speed and final speed when dealing with momentum...for example: i bounce ball...im using the conservation momentum equation and understanding what the initial and final is making me confused...
 
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Please provide a specific example so you can point out exactly where the trouble is. (It's not clear to me why you'd apply conservation of momentum to a bounced ball.)
 

Thread 'Mousetrap Car Energy efficiency'

For simple comparison, I think the same thought process can be followed as a block slides down a hill, - for block down hill, simple starting PE of mgh to final max KE 0.5mv^2 - comparing PE1 to max KE2 would result in finding the work friction did through the process. efficiency is just 100*KE2/PE1. If a mousetrap car travels along a flat surface, a starting PE of 0.5 k th^2 can be measured and maximum velocity of the car can also be measured. If energy efficiency is defined by...
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