Two objects of equal mass and velocity hit a wall. They both rebound with the same velocity in the opposite direction. Both objects experience the same momentum change but one experiences twice the average force as the other. Which of the following statements is true?
A) The contact time between one of the objects and the wall is twice the contact time of the other.
B) The contact times between the objects and the wall are equal.
C) The contact time between one of the object and the wall is one-fourth the contact time of the other.
D) The change in the kinetic energy is different for the two objects.
E) The contact time between one of the objects and the wall is 1/3 the contact time of the other.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The force experienced by an object during a collision is inversely proportional to the time of contact if the change in momentum is the same. Therefore, if one object experiences twice the average force, its contact time must be half that of the other object, not twice.

Two Objects of Equal Mass and Velocity Hit a Wall