What's the acceleration when it contacts the floor?

In summary, the acceleration of the tennis ball when it contacts the floor is 495 m/s_², calculated using energy and the change in velocity over time.
  • #1
DR33
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A tennis ball is dropped from 5m High and bounces back 3.2 m high. It stays in contact with the floor for 0.036 seconds. What's the acceleration when it contacts the floor?

The answer is 495 m/s_². I just don't know how to get to it. thanks so much.
 
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  • #2
Let [itex]v_1[/itex] be the speed of the ball just before it hits the ground, and [itex]v_2[/itex] be the speed just after.

Using energy:

[tex]mg(5) = \frac{1}{2} m v_1^2[/tex]
[tex] 10g = v_1^2 [/tex]
[tex] v_1 = \sqrt{10g} [/tex]

Also:
[tex]mg(3.2) = \frac{1}{2} m v_2^2[/tex]
[tex]6.4g = v_2^2 [/tex]
[tex]v_2 = \sqrt{6.4g} [/tex]

Acceleration is the change in velocity divided by time. (Now consider the up direction to be positive)

[tex] a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}[/tex]
[tex] a = \frac{\sqrt{6.4g} - (-\sqrt{10g})}{0.036}[/tex]
[tex] a = 495 m/s^2[/tex]
 
  • #3
Thx so much.. I really appreciate people helping on other'S request.
thx again

l8er
 

FAQ: What's the acceleration when it contacts the floor?

What is acceleration?

Acceleration is the rate of change of an object's velocity. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. It can be calculated by dividing the change in velocity by the time it took to change.

How is acceleration related to the floor?

The acceleration of an object when it contacts the floor is due to the force of gravity pulling it towards the ground. This acceleration is typically measured as 9.8 meters per second squared on Earth.

Does acceleration change when an object contacts the floor?

Yes, acceleration can change when an object contacts the floor. If an object is falling towards the floor, its acceleration will decrease as it approaches the ground. Once it contacts the floor, its acceleration will change to zero as it stops moving.

What factors can affect the acceleration of an object when it contacts the floor?

The acceleration of an object when it contacts the floor can be affected by several factors, including the mass of the object, the force of gravity, and any external forces acting on the object, such as air resistance or friction.

How is acceleration measured when an object contacts the floor?

Acceleration can be measured when an object contacts the floor using a variety of tools, such as a stopwatch and a ruler to measure the time and distance traveled, or a motion sensor to track the object's velocity. This data can then be used to calculate the acceleration using the formula: acceleration = change in velocity / time.

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