The study on the conservation of linear momentum and impulsive forces in introductory physics courses has an approach based on the collision of objects that behave as particles. In this work we search for a deepening in the subject, introducing experimental activities directed to laboratories of physics teaching in which it is considered the collision between a rubber ball and a rigid and flat surface. These experiments allow us to investigate collision characteristics, such as the impact time, the impulsive force, the contact area and the coefficient of restitution. The modeling, based on the Hertz's theory, includes the elastic properties of the ball. The experimental results are compared with theoretical values from the conventional treatment (excluding the deformation of the bodies) and the Hertz theory. Indications are also given about the elaboration of experiments aiming at improvements by teachers and students.
Keywords:
linear momentum; impact force; Hertz's theory
