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Course: AP??/College Physics 1?>?Unit 4
Lesson 4: Representation of changes in momentumRepresentation of changes in momentum
Problem
A ball is placed atop a compressed spring that is oriented vertically. At time , the compressed spring is released, launching the ball straight up into the air.
Consider the time period from when the compressed spring is released to when the ball reaches the top of its trajectory. Assume the upwards direction is positive.
Remember that because the ball has no initial or final velocity, there is no change to its momentum over the time period.
Which of the following graphs best represents the net force on the ball as a function of time?