Multiple choice general knowledge

A ball of mass 'm kg'is moving with a velocity of 'v m/s' along +X axis.It strikes a wall elastically and rebounds. What is the magnitude of impulse imparted to the ball.

  1. mv

  2. 2mv

  3. zero

  4. cannot be determined
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In an elastic collision with a wall, the velocity reverses direction but keeps the same magnitude. Momentum changes from +mv to -mv, so Δp = (-mv) - (+mv) = -2mv. The magnitude of impulse is |Δp| = 2mv. Impulse equals change in momentum, not just momentum (mv). Zero would mean no collision, and the answer is determinable.

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