A tennis ball (m= 0.2 kg) is thrown at a brick wall. It is traveling horizontally at 16 just before hitting the wall and rebounds from the wall at 8 , still traveling horizontally. The ball is in contact with the wall for 0.04 s. What is the magnitude of the average force of the wall on the ball?

Question

A tennis ball (m= 0.2 kg) is thrown at a brick wall. It is traveling horizontally at 16  just before hitting the wall and rebounds from the wall at 8 , still traveling horizontally. The ball is in contact with the wall for 0.04 s. What is the magnitude of the average force of the wall on the ball?

Henry · Answer

a = (V-Vo)/t = (-8-16)/0.04 = -600 m/s^2 F = m*a = 0.2 * (-600) = -120 N.