Question

An object of known mass M with speed v0 travels toward a wall. The object collides with it and bounces away from the wall in the opposite direction in which the object was initially traveling. The wall exerts an average force F0 on the object during the collision. A student must use the equation Δp⃗ =F⃗ Δt to determine the change in momentum of the object from immediately before the collision to immediately after the collision. Which side of the equation could the student use to determine the change of the object's momentum?

Answer 1

Answer:

The left side of the equation i.e  ∆p=MVo  should be used

Explanation:

Momentum is the product of mass and velocity or the quantity of motion an object has.

Impulse is the change in momentum

If P is the momentum

If M is the mass of the object

Vo is the velocity of the object

∆p=P2-P1  

Since the wall is stationary, P1 = 0

The momentum of the object itself is P2

Therefore, ∆p=P2  

Since P2=MVo

∆p=MVo

Answer 2

Answer: The change in momentum can be detrmined from the right hand side of the equation.

Please view attached file

Explanation:

According to Newton's second law of motion, the rate of change in the momentum of an object is proportional to the force applied.