Question Detail
Question
Two balls with equal mass are dropped from a height of 2 meters above the floor. They both bounce back up to a maximum height of 1.8 meters above the floor. The first ball is made of steel and is in contact with the floor for 0.04 seconds. The second ball is made of rubber and is in contact with the floor for 0.09 seconds. Which ball has a greater impulse on the floor?
Correct Answer
Option A is the correct answer.
Detailed Explanation
Impulse on the floor is equal and opposite to the impulse on the ball (Newton's 3rd Law). The impulse on each ball is its change in momentum. Since both balls have the same mass and are dropped from the same height and rebound to the same height, their velocities just before and just after impact are the same. Therefore, their change in momentum (impulse) is the same, regardless of contact time.
Hint
Impulse depends on change in momentum, which is determined by mass and velocity change, not contact time.