Final answer:
The change in momentum of the ball is 6.4 kg·m/s away from the wall, which is calculated based on the difference between its final and initial momentum, accounting for the reversal in direction post-collision.
Step-by-step explanation:
The change in momentum of a ball can be calculated by finding the difference between the final and initial momentum. In this case, the ball’s initial velocity is towards the wall at 20 m/s (vi = 20 m/s), and the final velocity is away from the wall at -12 m/s (vf = -12 m/s), suggesting the ball has reversed its direction post-collision.
Momentum (p) is the product of an object's mass (m) and its velocity (v), so the change in momentum (Δp) can be computed as:
- Δp = m × vf - m × vi
- Δp = 0.200 kg × (-12 m/s) - 0.200 kg × (20 m/s)
- Δp = -2.4 kg·m/s - 4 kg·m/s
- Δp = -6.4 kg·m/s
The negative sign indicates that the change is in the opposite direction to the initial velocity. Therefore, the change in momentum of the ball is 6.4 kg·m/s in the direction away from the wall.