Impulse integration for a Tennis Racket hitting a Tennis Ball

In summary, the conversation discusses the integration of impulse over time and the use of the endpoints or the function itself as the bounds. It is noted that if the impulse is a function of time, then integrating from ##t_i## to ##t_f## is reasonable. However, omitting the "t=" from the bounds can be misleading.
  • #1
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Homework Statement
Please see below
Relevant Equations
Please see below
For this,
1684125887202.png

Can someone please tell me why they integrate the impulse over from ##t_i## to ##t_f##? Why not from ##j_i## to ##j_f##? It seems strange integrating impulse with respect to time.

Many thanks!
 
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  • #2
ChiralSuperfields said:
Homework Statement: Please see below
Relevant Equations: Please see below

For this,
View attachment 326569
Can someone please tell me why they integrate the impulse over from ##t_i## to ##t_f##? Why not from ##j_i## to ##j_f##? It seems strange integrating impulse with respect to time.

Many thanks!
If you are using
##\displaystyle \int d \textbf{J}##
and you have the ##\textbf{J}##'s at the endpoints, the use the ##\textbf{J}##'s.

If you don't have the ##\textbf{J}##'s then you need to use
##\displaystyle \int \textbf{F}(t) \, dt##

-Dan
 
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  • #3
ChiralSuperfields said:
Can someone please tell me why they integrate the impulse over from ##t_i## to ##t_f##? Why not from ##j_i## to ##j_f##? It seems strange integrating impulse with respect to time.
If you think of ##\vec J## as the cumulative impulse given over some period of time then ##\vec J=\vec J(t)## and it is reasonable to write ##\int_{t=t_i}^{t_f}d\vec J(t)##. But omitting the "t=" from the bounds is a bit naughty.
 
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  • #4
haruspex said:
If you think of ##\vec J## as the cumulative impulse given over some period of time then ##\vec J=\vec J(t)## and it is reasonable to write ##\int_{t=t_i}^{t_f}d\vec J(t)##. But omitting the "t=" from the bounds is a bit naughty.
Thank you for your reply @topsquark and @haruspex!

@haruspex, now that you say J is a function of t I think that helps.

Many thanks!
 

FAQ: Impulse integration for a Tennis Racket hitting a Tennis Ball

What is impulse in the context of a tennis racket hitting a tennis ball?

Impulse in this context refers to the change in momentum of the tennis ball when it is struck by the racket. It is the product of the average force applied by the racket on the ball and the time duration over which this force acts. Mathematically, impulse (J) is given by the integral of the force (F) over the time (t) during which the force is applied: J = ∫ F dt.

How do you calculate the impulse delivered to a tennis ball by a racket?

To calculate the impulse delivered to a tennis ball, you need to know the force exerted by the racket on the ball and the duration of contact. The impulse can be calculated using the integral of the force over the contact time: J = ∫ F dt. If the force is constant, this simplifies to J = F * Δt, where Δt is the contact time. Alternatively, impulse can also be calculated using the change in momentum: J = Δp = m * Δv, where m is the mass of the ball and Δv is the change in velocity.

Why is impulse important in tennis?

Impulse is important in tennis because it directly relates to the change in velocity of the tennis ball after it is hit by the racket. A greater impulse results in a greater change in momentum, which typically translates to a faster and more powerful shot. Understanding impulse helps players optimize their swings to maximize the force and duration of contact, thereby improving their performance on the court.

What factors affect the impulse imparted to a tennis ball?

Several factors affect the impulse imparted to a tennis ball, including the force exerted by the racket, the duration of contact between the racket and the ball, the mass of the ball, and the initial velocity of the ball. The stiffness and string tension of the racket, as well as the technique and strength of the player, also play significant roles in determining the force and duration of contact.

How does the concept of impulse help in improving tennis racket design?

The concept of impulse helps in improving tennis racket design by informing engineers and designers about the optimal characteristics needed to maximize the force and duration of contact with the ball. This includes considerations of racket weight, balance, stiffness, and string tension. By optimizing these factors, designers can create rackets that enhance a player's ability to impart greater impulse to the ball, resulting in more powerful and controlled shots.

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