Answer:
625 N
Explanation:
The impulse given to the nail is equal to the change in momentum of the hammer:
[tex]I=F \Delta t=m \Delta v[/tex]
where
F is the force exerted by the hammer
[tex]\Delta t=0.08 s[/tex] is the time of contact
[tex]m=2.5 kg[/tex] is the mass
[tex]\Delta v=20 m/s[/tex] is the change in velocity of the hammer
Substituting the data and re-arranging the equation, we can find the force:
[tex]F=\frac{m \Delta v}{\Delta t}=\frac{(2.5 kg)(20 m/s)}{0.08 s}=625 N[/tex]
