Physics · Force and inertia, Newton's first law of motion, momentum, Newton's second Law of motion, impulse, Newton's third Law of motion

A ball of mass m strikes a rigid wall with speed u and rebounds with the same sp

A ball of mass m strikes a rigid wall with speed u and rebounds with the same speed. The impulse imparted to the ball by the wall is:

  • A. 2mu
  • B. mu
  • C. zero
  • D. -2mu

Step-by-step solution

Impulse equals change in momentum. Initial momentum = mu (towards wall, taken as positive). After rebound, velocity is -u, so final momentum = -mu. Change in momentum = -mu - mu = -2mu. Thus impulse imparted by wall is -2mu.
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