Question

a ball having linear momentum p moves along x-axis it strikes a rigid wall in a direction normal to its surface and rebounds with the same momentum in a direction normal to the surface of the what the change in momentum of the ball is​
write the full solution

Answer 1

The ball strikes the wall with a linear momentum $\sf{p}$ along x direction.

• Initial linear momentum of the ball, $\sf{p_i=p.}$

The ball rebounds with same linear momentum, but the ball moves in opposite direction after collision, i.e., along -x direction. Thus,

• Final linear momentum of the ball, $\sf{p_f=-p.}$

Hence change in momentum of the ball is,

$\longrightarrow\sf{\Delta p=p_f-p_i}$

$\longrightarrow\sf{\Delta p=-p-p}$

$\longrightarrow\sf{\underline{\underline{\Delta p=-2p}}}$

That is, change in momentum is $\bf{2p}$ acting along $\bf{-x}$ direction.