Knowing we can calculate the momentum of a
ping pong ball.
Question-
What is the momentum of a ping pong ball traveling 10m/s?
In the rules an official ping pong ball must have a mass of 2.7
grams. So we simply multiply .0027 kg by 10m/s and fig that the
ping pong ball has a momentum represented as P of .027 kg
m!
s
Definitions
Impulse- Change in Momentum. P(final)-P(initial)
An alternate definition is FORCE(average)
* TIME. This form is very beneficial when we look at the
situation where the Ping pong ball contacts the paddle. Modern
day paddles have special foam padding that can increase or
decrease the dwell time according to the players preference.
This dwell time can be represented by force over time graph, as
shown below.
Momentum- MASS * VELOCITY
As represented below if mass or velocity is increased momentum
increases in kind.
FORCE(ave)*TIME
= P(final)-P(initial)
With This Knowledge we can combine what we know from both
Equations to solve for the variables above!
Disclaimer- These equations are for isolated
systems and do not take into account air drag. We are assuming
momentum is conserved.
