Question

Suppose a rubber ball collides head-on with a more massive steel ball traveling in the opposite direction with equal speed. Which ball, if either, receives the larger impulse? Explain.

Short answer

Both ball recives the same amount of impulse.

Step-by-step solution

Given Information  

We need to find that which ball, if either, receives the larger impulse?

Simplify    

When an object receives a force for a short time, this force with time is called the impulse,

in force-versus time graph the momentum is same.

Hence, impulse is given by

$impulse=J_x=F_x△t\left(1\right)$

Exerted impulse on the rubble ball is

$J_{steel}=F_{rubber}△t$

$F_{rubber}$is the force that is exerted by the rubber.

The impulse that is exerted on the rubber ball is

role="math" localid="1649263813382" $J_{rubber}=F_{steel}△t$

Exerted force by the rubber is $F_{steel}$, so both balls exert the same force but in opposite direction

$F_{steel}=-F_{rubber}$

Impulse on the rubber

$$\begin{gathered} J_{rubber}=F_{steel}△t \\ =-F_{steel}△t \\ =-J_{steel} \end{gathered}$$