Why Does Momentum Affect the Calculation of Final Velocity in Physics Problems?

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Momentum affects the calculation of final velocity because it incorporates the principles of conservation of energy and the relationship between potential and kinetic energy. The formula vf=(2mgH).5 is used to find the velocity at impact by converting potential energy into kinetic energy, which differs from the initial assumption of using vf=(2aΔs).5. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the context of momentum and energy conservation in physics problems. The calculations for the maximum force exerted by the floor on a ball dropped from a height illustrate how to apply these principles correctly. Ultimately, recognizing the interplay between momentum and energy is crucial for solving such physics problems accurately.
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Homework Statement



Let me start by saying my ONLY question is. Why can I not use..

vf=(2aΔs).5

Why do I have to use

vf=(2mgH).5

to get the vf? Why have things changed now that I am dealing with momentum problems, isn't vf just vf?

With the mgH formula my velocity is much lower. This doesn't make sense and its bothering me that I am missing something so fundamental.


But I'll post the problem anyway.

A 160 g ball is dropped from a height of 2.8 m, bounces on a hard floor, and rebounds to a height of 2.1 m. Figure P9.28 shows the impulse received from the floor. What maximum force does the floor exert on the ball?

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/8416/p928.gif


Homework Equations



vf=(2aΔs).5 (I thought but I guess not)

vf=(2mgH).5

Jx=Δpx=FmaxΔt


The Attempt at a Solution



I am solving it using the method written in the link below.

Which brought me to the question listed above.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081026102629AAdYIDa


"""""

You start by defining what "impulse" is.

In math talk, it's dP = F dt; where dP = p1 - p0 = m(v1 - v0), the change in momentum, F is the average force over the time interval dt = t1 - t0 in which the momentum changed. F = ? is the force you are looking for.

Solve for F = m(v1 - v0)/dt; where m = .15 kg, dt = .005 sec, you need to find v0, the velocity at impact and v1 the velocity at rebound.

To find v0, use the conservation of energy so that v0^2 = 2mgH; where H = 1.7 m. Then v0 = sqrt(2mgH) = sqrt(2*.15*9.81*1.7) = 2.236761051 mps. Here the potential energy mgH is converted to kinetic energy.

To find v1, use the same conservation of energy so that v1 = sqrt(2*.15*9.81*1) = 1.715517415 mps, where the height h = 1.0 m on rebound. Here the kinetic energy of the rebound is converted to potential energy PE = mgh at height h.

Recognize that the directions of the two velocities are directly opposite; so they are additive, in other words v1 - (-v0) = v1 + v0 = 3.952278466

Solve for F = dP/dt = m(v1 + v0)/dt = .15*3.95/.005 = 118.5 kg.m/sec^2.


"""""
 
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The answer from the method I used from Yahoo came out wrong.

Completely lost.. as I am as of late.

176.928N no cigar.
 
I solved it, idk what the guy on the yahoo answers was smoking...

Although his idea on the velocities being additive did help me realize something about the momentum.

Consider this thread, closed.
 
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