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Work and Force Problem!

  1. Oct 16, 2008 #1

    When a 0.045 kg golf ball takes off after being hit, its speed is 42 m/s.
    (a) How much work is done on the ball by the club?

    ---> 39.69 J
    (b) Assume that the force of the golf club acts parallel to the motion of the ball and that the club is in contact with the ball for a distance of 0.030 m. Ignore the weight of the ball and determine the average force applied to the ball by the club.

    2. Relevant equations

    WNCF= [tex]\DeltaMETOTAL[/tex]

    3. The attempt at a solution

    for part a I did this and got the correct answer in Joules: 0.5(0.045kg)(422

    I am confused at what to do in the next part. I did the same attempt but confused when I am told to ignore the weight of the ball....
  2. jcsd
  3. Oct 16, 2008 #2
    2. Relevant Equations

    Wncf= [tex]\Delta[/tex]MEtotal
  4. Oct 16, 2008 #3


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    Staff Emeritus
    Science Advisor

    Okay: the kinetic energy of the ball changed from 0 to (1/2) mv2. That energy had to come from somewhere- the work done on it.

    Now do you know that when on object accelerates from 0 with constant (or average) acceleration a to t seconds it reachs speed a*t and goes a distance (1/2)at2. You know that the ball accelerated to 42 m/s while going 0.30m. That gives two equations in a and t. Once know a, the average acceleration, F= ma gives the average force.

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