Questions: You are lying in bed and want to shut your bedroom door. You have a bouncy "superball" and a blob of clay, both with the same mass.
Which one would be more effective to throw at your door to close it?
The blob of clay.
The superball.
Both the same.
Neither will work.
Transcript text: You are lying in bed and want to shut your bedroom door. You have a bouncy "superball" and a blob of clay, both with the same mass.
Which one would be more effective to throw at your door to close it?
The blob of clay.
The superball.
Both the same.
Neither will work.
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Understand the Problem
The problem involves determining which object, a superball or a blob of clay, would be more effective in closing a door when thrown at it. Both objects have the same mass.
Step 2: Analyze the Physics of the Situation
When an object is thrown at a door, it exerts a force on the door, which can cause the door to move. The effectiveness of this force depends on the change in momentum of the object upon impact.
Step 3: Compare the Momentum Change for Each Object
Superball: When the superball hits the door, it bounces back, reversing its direction. This results in a larger change in momentum because the velocity changes from a positive value to a negative value.
Blob of Clay: When the blob of clay hits the door, it sticks to the door and does not bounce back. The change in momentum is less than that of the superball because the velocity changes to zero.
Step 4: Determine Which Object is More Effective
The superball, due to its larger change in momentum, will exert a greater force on the door, making it more effective in closing the door compared to the blob of clay.