Re: Double Your Momentum, Reflection

On 7 Dec 2005 12:26:24 -0800, "PD" <TheDraperFamily@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>
>W. Watson wrote:
>> Intuitively it make sense that if a ball bounces off a brick wall that the
>> momentum will be twice that of the ball as it speeds towards the wall;
>> however, is there a way to demonstrate this with the laws of conservation of
>> energy or some other similar means?
>> --
>
>Initially, ball has momentum +P and wall has momentum 0.
>Finally, ball has momentum -P and wall has momentum +2P.
>Total momentum is conserved (+P in both cases).
>
>PD


I managed to confuse myself with your explanation.

Imagine two walls. Let's put them in orbit, so there is no coupling
between them. Elastic ball and walls. so little loss.

the ball hits one wall and results in the momentum as you state. It
bounces to the second wall, regains its +p momentum and imparts -2P
momentum to the second wall. Then it bounces to the first wall again,
which still has its +2P momentum, now it gets 2 more, so it results in
+4P? This can progress for a long time?
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: A Hitchikers Guide to FORCE.
    ... That's the crux of it...and the mass 'pushes back' on the instigating ... If a ball is thrown at a wall, does the ball add momentum to the wall or the ...
    (sci.physics.relativity)
  • Re: A Hitchikers Guide to FORCE.
    ... That's the crux of it...and the mass 'pushes back' on the instigating ... If a ball is thrown at a wall, does the ball add momentum to the wall or the ...
    (sci.physics.relativity)
  • Re: Linear momentum
    ... | If I let a ball fall from my hand, it will hit the ground and then it ... | linear momentum won't change. ... The Earth is attracted to the ball by the ball's ... The Earth accelerates toward the ball until it bounces ...
    (sci.physics)
  • Re: Linear momentum
    ... | If I let a ball fall from my hand, it will hit the ground and then it ... | linear momentum won't change. ... The Earth is attracted to the ball by the ball's ... The Earth accelerates toward the ball until it bounces against ...
    (sci.physics)
  • Re: Weirdos square of negative mass.
    ... be less momentum reflecting than continuing on. ... The mirror would have momentum pi+ pr, while the photons that are ... A ball hitting an immobile wall also ...
    (talk.origins)