Chapter 9: Problem 16
When spiking a volleyball, a player changes the velocity of the ball from \(4.2 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\) to \(-24 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\) along a certain direction. If the impulse delivered to the ball by the player is \(-9.3 \mathrm{kg} \cdot \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\) what is the mass of the volleyball?
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understand Impulse Concept
Identify Given Values
Calculate Change in Velocity
Use Impulse-Momentum Equation
Solve for the Mass
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Change in Velocity
The equation for change in velocity, denoted as \(\Delta v\), is computed by subtracting the initial velocity \(v_i\) from the final velocity \(v_f\): \(\Delta v = v_f - v_i\). In our problem, this becomes \(-24\,\mathrm{m/s} - 4.2\,\mathrm{m/s} = -28.2\,\mathrm{m/s}\).
- The magnitude of \(\Delta v\) can tell us how significantly the speed was adjusted.
- A negative result doesn't always mean slowing down—instead, it indicates a change in direction.
Impulse-Momentum Theorem
For the volleyball, the player's strike imparts an impulse of \(-9.3\,\mathrm{kg \cdot m/s}\), altering the ball's momentum. The direction of this impulse follows the same direction as the velocity change, signifying a reversal.
- Impulse: equal to the net force on the object times the duration of force application.
- Momentum: a product of mass and velocity, describes the amount of motion an object has.
By connecting impulse with change in momentum, the theorem offers clarity on how pushes or hits modify an object's trajectory. Understanding this theorem is essential when calculating quantities like mass in practical problems.
Mass Calculation
Rearrange the formula to isolate mass \(m\) as follows: \[ m = \frac{\text{Impulse}}{\Delta v} \] Using the given problem, substitute impulse and change in velocity: \[ m = \frac{-9.3\,\mathrm{kg \cdot m/s}}{-28.2\,\mathrm{m/s}} \approx 0.33\,\mathrm{kg} \]
- Ensure you include correct signs to reflect motion direction accurately.
- Check that units are consistent: the mass should be in kilograms \(\mathrm{kg}\).
This calculation reveals the mass of the volleyball, illustrating how force and motion are intrinsically linked. Mastering mass calculation through these steps not only provides answers but also enhances understanding of physical interactions in motion.