Question

A student conducts an experiment in which an object travels across a horizontal surface while for 2 s a net force is applied to a 2 kg object that initially travels with a speed of 0.5 m/s. Data collected from the experiment are used to create the graph of the magnitude of the applied force exerted on the object as a function of time is shown. All frictional forces are considered to be negligible. Can the student use the graph and the known data to determine the momentum of the object after the force has been applied?
Yes, because the average force exerted on the object can be used with the time interval of 2 s to determine the change in momentum of the object by using Δp⃗ =F⃗ Δt.


Yes, because the area bound by the best-fit line and the horizontal axis from 0 s to 2 s can be used to determine the change in momentum of the object.


No, because the data is too scattered to determine the average force that is exerted on the object.


No, because the student needs to know the direction that the force is applied to the object because the applied force will be in the same direction as the change in momentum of the object.

Answer 1

Answer:

  D.  No, because the student needs to know the direction that the force is applied

Explanation:

The change in momentum depends on the direction of the force as well as its magnitude. Since the graph only supplies force magnitude information, it is insufficient to allow the student to calculate the change in momentum.