20111018

Physics flashcard question: three thrown balls

Physics 205A, fall semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students were asked near the end of their learning cycle the following think-pair-share question, to be answered using flashcards.

The ball thrown __________ would have more Ktr just before hitting the floor.
(A) upwards.
(B) downwards.
(C) to the right.
(D) (There is two-way tie.)
(E) (There is three-way tie.)
(F) (Unsure/guessing/lost/help!)

Sections 70854, 70855
(A) : 2 students (estimated)
(B) : 2 students (estimated)
(C) : 5 students (estimated)
(D) : 5 students (estimated)
(E) : 20 students (estimated)
(F) : 20 students (estimated)

Correct answer: (E)

From the energy balance equation:

Wnc = ∆Ktr + ∆Ugrav + ∆Uelas,

where Wnc = 0 (no external gains/losses of mechanical energy), and ∆Uelas = 0 (no springs involved), such that for all three balls,

0 = ∆Ktr + ∆Ugrav.

Each ball experiences the same initial-to-final loss of Ugrav, so they must experience the same increase in Ktr, and since they all have the same initial Ktr, then they will have the same final Ktr.

2 comments:

Patrick M. Len said...

Mea culpa to the fall semester 2011 students, where the wrong explanation was given in class.

Patrick M. Len said...

...and a case where the simplest explanation is the best explanation.