Question

Select the correct answer.
The impact time for a particular collision is 3.0 × 10-3 seconds and the impulse in the collision is 0.30 newton seconds. What is the force of the collision?

A.
25 newtons
B.
50 newtons
C.
1.0 × 102 newtons
D.
1.0 × 103 newtons

Answer 1

To find the force of the collision, you can use the impulse-momentum theorem, which states that impulse equals the change in momentum:

\[
\text{Impulse} = \text{Force} \times \text{Time}
\]

Rearranging this equation to solve for force gives:

\[
\text{Force} = \frac{\text{Impulse}}{\text{Time}}
\]

Given:
- Impulse = 0.30 newton seconds
- Time = 3.0 × 10⁻³ seconds

Now, substitute these values into the equation:

\[
\text{Force} = \frac{0.30 \, \text{N·s}}{3.0 \times 10^{-3} \, \text{s}} = \frac{0.30}{0.003}
\]

Calculating this:

\[
\text{Force} = 100 \, \text{newtons}
\]

Thus, the correct answer is:

**C. 1.0 × 10² newtons**