Physics

To determine the impulse experienced by the ball during its contact with the cushion, we need to calculate the change in the ball's momentum.

 

Determine the initial velocity just before the ball hits the cushion.

 

The ball is falling freely from a height of 20 m. We can use the following kinematic equation to find the velocity just before it hits the cushion:

 

Where:

is the final velocity just before impact,

m/s is the initial velocity (since it starts from rest),

is the acceleration due to gravity,

is the height.

 

Substitute the values:

 

Thus, the velocity just before the ball hits the cushion is downward.

 

Determine the velocity just after the ball bounces.

After the bounce, the ball reaches a maximum height of 5 m. We use the same kinematic equation to find the velocity just after the bounce:

 

Where:

is the initial velocity just after the bounce,

m/s at the maximum height (since the ball momentarily stops),

is the acceleration due to gravity,

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