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Writer's picturekeshprad

PhysicsBowl 2017 Q27


27) This question asks us to find the average force that acts on the mass during the collision. Let's first draw the situation out. To make this simple, we can reconsider the situation where the initial velocity is along the -y-direction.

Where m is mass, and v is velocity

By using the impulse-momentum theory, we know that the change in momentum is equal to the product of force and time. For this question, it is best to calculate the force in the x-direction and y-direction.

Where m is mass, v is velocity, F is force, and t is time

Remember that we only care about the magnitude of the force, so it's alright to use the absolute value of the force. Now since we have the x and y components of the force, we can use the Pythagorean theorem to find the net force.

Where F is force

Answer: C

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