Question

A hammer of mass 1 kg is used to break an almond shell. The velocity time graph of the hammer during the impact duration is shown in the figure. The shape of force time graph is also given, which can be approximated as a triangle. A force of 300 N is required for breaking the shell, while a force of 200 N will not be able to break it, but just introduce a crack. Which one of the following events will happen?
\includegraphics[width=0.65\linewidth]{image15.png}

• A. The almond shell will crack but not break.
• B. The almond shell will not crack.
• C. The almond shell will break.
• D. Cannot be determined from the given data.

Hint:

When analyzing impact problems, the force-time graph's peak value and the area under the graph (impulse) can help determine whether a material will crack or break.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

From the given graph, we can analyze the impact of the hammer on the almond shell.

Step 1: Analyzing the force graph.
The shape of the force-time graph is triangular, and the force exerted by the hammer varies over time. The area under the force-time graph represents the impulse delivered by the hammer to the almond shell.

Step 2: Checking the conditions for cracking or breaking the shell.
- A force of 300 N is required to break the almond shell, and a force of 200 N will introduce a crack but not break it.
- From the graph, we can observe that the peak force is around 200 N, which means the force applied is not enough to break the almond shell but sufficient to crack it.

Step 3: Conclusion.
Since the force exerted by the hammer is less than the 300 N required to break the shell but enough to crack it, the almond shell will crack but not break. The correct answer is (A).

Final Answer: (A) The almond shell will crack but not break.