Question

A 3 kg bowling ball is thrown onto a mattress. If it takes 0.3 seconds to stop the ball using a force of 24 N, what was the initial velocity of the bowling ball when it first touched the mattress?

Answer 1

2.4 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Applying Newton's second law of motion,

F = m(v-u)/t.............. Equation 1

Where F = force exerted on the ball, m = mass of the ball, v = final velocity of the ball, u = initial velocity of the ball, t = time required to stop the ball.

Note: Since the the ball come to stop, then v = 0 m/s.

F = -mu/t............. Equation 2

make u the subject of the equation

u = -Ft/m............. Equation 3

Given: m = 3 kg, t = 0.3 s, F = 24 N

Substitute into equation 3

u = -(24×0.3)/3

u = -2.4 m/s.

Note the negative sign tells that the initial velocity of the ball is in opposite direction to the force acting on the ball.