Question

A ball hangs on the end of a string that is connected to the ceiling so that it swings like a pendulum. You pull the ball up so that it nearly touches the end of your nose. You let the ball swing down (from rest), and then swing back, toward your face. Under which conditions will the ball strike your nose?

Answer 1

When extra energy is added

Step-by-step explanation:

When the ball is released from rest and swings back towards your face, it will only pass closer to the end of the nose as per the initial conditions. However, when extra energy is added to the ball, it strikes the nose since its velocity and heights are increased. Therefore, the only condition under which the ball hits your nose is when extra energy is added to the system.