Question

In a lab environment, you are investigating the impulse of a force exerted on a brick when the brick's speed is reduced from 2.5 m/s to a complete stop. First, you allow the brick to slam into a secured piece of wood, bringing the brick to a sudden stop. Second, you allow the brick to plow into a large slab of gelatin so that the brick comes to a gradual halt. In which situation is there a greater impulse of the force on the brick?

The impulse is the same in both situations.
There is a greater impulse of the force on the brick from the gelatin.
Not enough information is given to determine the answer.
There is a greater impulse of the force on the brick from the wall.

Answer 1

The impulse is the same in both situations.

Step-by-step explanation:

As we know that impulse is defined as change in momentum

so it is given as

`\Delta P = m(v_f - v_i)`

also we know that

`\Delta P = F\Delta t`

so we will have

`v_f = 0`

`v_i = 2.5 m/s`

now impulse is given as

`\Delta P = m(2.5 - 0)`

so it is independent of the time for which it is stopped

so impulse will be same in both cases