Question

A 0.24 kg blob of clay strikes a wall with an Initial velocity of 25 m/s the clay come to a stop against the wall in 91 ms what is the average impact force on the clay

Answer 1

65.9N

Step-by-step explanation

The impact force of an object is

`F=(\Delta p)/(\Delta t)`

And the change in momentum is

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

We know that the mass of the blob of clay is 0.24kg, its initial velocity is 25m/s and its final velocity is 0m/s. Also, the time of the collision is 91 ms.

The force is:

`F=(m(v_f-v_i))/(\Delta t)`

To be consistent with the units, we have to write the time in seconds, not milliseconds:

`F\approx-65.9N`

This result is negative because this is the force the clay exerts on the wall. By Newton's third law, the impact force on the clay is the force with the same magnitude and opposite direction. Therefore, the average impact force on the clay is 65.9N