Question

10 points) A rubber ball and a lump of putty of the same mass m = 0.05 kg are thrown with the same speed v=10.0 m/s in positive x-direction against a vertical wall. The ball bounces back with the same speed v’=10.0 m/s in negative x-direction. The putty sticks to the wall. Which of the two objects (rubber ball and a lump of putty) experiences the greater momentum change?

Answer 1

Answer:

the ball experiences the greater momentum change

Explanation:

You have to take into account that momentum change is given by

$\Delta p=mv_f-mv_b$

where vf and vb are the speed of the object after and before the impact.

In the case of the ball you have

$\Delta p=(0.05kg)(-10.0\frac{m}{s})-(0.05kg)(10.0\frac{m}{s})=-1kg\frac{m}{s}$

where the minus of vf is included due to the motion is in an opposite direction regarding with vb

And for the lump

$\Delta p=(0.05kg)(10.0\frac{m}{s})-(0.05kg)(0\frac{m}{s})=0.5kg\frac{m}{s}$

Hence, the ball experiences the greater change

hope this helps!!