MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Re: how to decrese the force of a falling object?

Date: Wed Apr 15 16:37:23 1998
Posted By: John Haberman, Space Scientist, NASA Goddard Space Center, Greenbelt MD
Area of science: Physics
ID: 890565337.Ph
Message:

  The impulse that you feel as the falling object hits your hand comes 
from the momentum of that object relative to your hand.  You have the 
correct idea about why this impulse seems to be less because your hand is 
moving in the same direction as the falling object.  The momentum 
(calculated as mass times velocity) comes from the relative velocity of 
the objects.  Because your hand and the falling object are moving in the 
same direction, the relative velocity is reduced.  If you were moving your 
hand toward the falling object the relative velocity is increased.
  This type of problem is often assigned to students in physics classes.

John Haberman



Current Queue | Current Queue for Physics | Physics archives

Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Physics.



MadSci Home | Information | Search | Random Knowledge Generator | MadSci Archives | Mad Library | MAD Labs | MAD FAQs | Ask a ? | Join Us! | Help Support MadSci


MadSci Network, webadmin@www.madsci.org
© 1995-1998. All rights reserved.