2015 PH1012 Tut 5: More about Forces, Impulse and Momentum
1. [‘A’ J86/II/8] When a body moves through a fluid, a retarding force due to turbulence may
be experienced. In the case of a sphere of radius 𝑟 moving with speed 𝑣 through a stationary
fluid of density 𝜌 which is at rest, this force has a magnitude given by
𝐹 = 𝑘𝜌 𝑟 2 𝑣 2
where 𝑘 is a constant. (Note that this formula differs from Stoke's law in the lecture notes).
When spherical raindrops fall through still air, all but the smallest experience a retarding
force given by the equation above. It is found that drops of a given radius approach the
ground with an approximately constant speed, which is independent of the cloud in which
they are form.
(a) Find an expression for this terminal speed 𝑣𝑡 in terms of the constant 𝑘 , the radius 𝑟 of
the drop, its density 𝜌𝑤 , the density of air 𝜌𝐴 of the air and the acceleration of free fall g.
(You may neglect the upthrust due to air). Sketch the velocity-time graph of the object from
the moment it is released into the fluid.
(b) The terminal speed of the raindrop of radius 1 mm is approximately 7 𝑚𝑠 −1 . In freak
storms, hailstones with radii as large as 20 mm may fall. Estimate the speed with which such
stones strike the ground. [Take the density of water as 1 × 103 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3 and the density of
ice as 9 × 102 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3 .
2. [G14.16, modified] The graph of displacement
vs. time for a small mass 𝑚 at the end of a
spring is shown in the figure. At 𝑡 = 0,
𝑥 = 0.43 𝑐𝑚 . Find (a) the period and frequency.
(b) Write the equation for displacement 𝑥 as a
function of time. (c) Write down the equation
for velocity 𝑣 and acceleration 𝑎 as a function of
time.
3. [S9.15] The magnitude of the net force exerted in the x direction
on a 2.50-kg particle varies in time as shown in the figure below.
Find (a) the impulse of the force over the 5.00-s time interval, (b)
the final velocity the particle attains if it is originally at rest, (c) its
final velocity if its original velocity is −2.00 𝐢̂ m/s, and (d) the
average force exerted on the particle for the time interval
between 0 and 5.00 s.
4. [G9.47] You drop a 12-g ball from a height of 1.5 m and it only bounces back to a height of
0.75 m. What was the total impulse on the ball when it hit the floor? (Ignore air ¬resistance).
5. [G9.32] (a) Calculate the impulse experienced when a 65-kg person lands on firm ground
after jumping from a height of 3.0 m. (b) Estimate the average force exerted on the person’s
feet by the ground if the landing is stiff-legged, and again (c) with bent legs. With stiff legs,
assume the body moves 1.0 cm during impact, and when the legs are bent, about 50 cm.
[Hint: The average net force on her which is related to impulse, is the vector sum of gravity
and the force exerted by the ground.]
6. [G9.34] A 0.060-kg tennis ball, moving with a speed of 4.50 m/s has a head-on collision with
a 0.090-kg ball initially moving in the same direction at a speed of 3.00 m/s. Assuming a
perfectly elastic collision, determine the speed and direction of each ball after the collision.
7. [G9.13] A child in a boat throws a 5.70-kg package out horizontally with
a speed of 10.0 m/s. Calculate the velocity of the boat immediately
after, assuming it was initially at rest. The mass of the child is 24.0 kg
and that of the boat is 35.0 kg.
8. [G9.98] A 22-g bullet strikes and becomes embedded in a 1.35-kg block of wood placed on a
horizontal surface just in front of the gun. If the coefficient of kinetic friction between the
block and the surface is 0.28, and the impact drives the block a distance of 8.5 m before it
comes to rest, what was the muzzle speed of the bullet?
9. [G9.88] In order to convert a tough split in bowling, it is necessary to
strike the pin a glancing blow as shown in the figure. Assume that the
bowling ball, initially traveling at 13.0 m/s has five times the mass of a pin
and that the pin goes off at 75° from the original direction of the ball.
Calculate the speed (a) of the pin and (b) of the ball just after collision,
and (c) calculate the angle through which the ball was deflected. Assume
the collision is elastic and ignore any spin of the ball.
10. Video Activity
Answers
4𝜌𝑤 𝜋𝑟𝑔
1. (a) 𝑣𝑡 = √ (b) 30 m/s
3𝑘𝜌𝐴
2𝜋
2. (b) 𝑥 = 0.82 𝑐𝑚 ( 𝑡 + 1.02 𝑟𝑎𝑑)
0.69
𝑚 𝑚
3. (a) 𝐼⃗ = 12.0 𝑁𝑠 𝑖̂; (b) 𝑣⃗𝑓 = 4.80 𝑖̂; (c) 𝑣⃗𝑓 = 2.80 𝑖̂; (d) 𝐹⃗𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 2.40 𝑁 𝑖̂
𝑠 𝑠
4. 𝐼 = 0.11 𝑘𝑔 𝑚/𝑠 upwards
5. (a) 500 kg m/s upwards (b) 1.9 × 105 N upwards (c) 4500 N upwards
6. 2.7 m/s; 4.2 m/s
7. -0.966 m/s
8. 430 m/s
9. 𝑣𝑝𝑖𝑛 = 5.6 𝑚/𝑠; 𝑣𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙 = 12.8 𝑚/𝑠; 𝜃 = 4.87∘
