Students perform an experiment in which they drop two eggs with equal mass from a balcony. In the first trial, the egg hits the ground and breaks. In the second trial, the egg hits a foam cushion and does not break or bounce.
Answer
A
The impulse was greater in the first experiment because the egg broke.
B
The impulse was greater in the second experiment because the egg did not break.
C
The impulse was the same in both experiments because the egg came to a stop.
D
The impulse cannot be determined without the mass and velocity of the eggs.
Explanation
Impulse equals the change in momentum. The eggs have equal mass and are dropped from the same height, so they have the same momentum just before impact; both come to rest without bouncing, so each has the same final momentum of zero. Therefore, the impulse is the same in both trials. The foam may make the egg stop over a longer time and reduce the impact force, but it does not change the total impulse.
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