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Why are porcelain objects wrapped in paper or straw before packing for transportation?

Packing of fragile materials in paper, straw or bubble wrap is a common practice to avoid damage via transportation. During transportation, a vehicle can experience sudden turns, bumps or halts. As the body continues to be in its state of motion as by the law of inertia, such incidents can cause the objects to move and fall. Large forces offered by the point of contact such as walls or floors can easily break them. If we wrap the objects in paper or straw, the materials can effectively absorb impact and the object can move within the straw for a distance before coming to a complete stop. The force is thereby reduced and the damage can be avoided.

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A woman throws an object of mass 500 g with a speed of 25 m s1.

(a) What is the impulse imparted to the object?


(b) If the object hits a wall and rebounds with half the original speed, what is the change in momentum of the object?