Question

A wrecking ball is being used to knock down a building. One tall unsupported concrete wall remains standing. If the wrecking ball hits the wall near the top, is the wall more likely to fall over by rotating at its base or by falling straight down? Explain your answer. How is it most likely to fall if it is struck with the same force at its base? Note that this depends on how firmly the wall is attached at its base.

a) Wall falls straight down; rotation is unlikely.
b) Wall falls over by rotating; straight down fall is unlikely.
c) Wall can fall either straight down or over by rotating.
d) Wall remains standing; force is insufficient to cause fall.

Answer 1

If the wrecking ball hits the wall near the top, the wall is more likely to fall over by rotating at its base rather than fall straight down. The wall may fall straight down or over by rotating at its base, depending on how firmly it is attached. The magnitude of the torque depends on the force of the collision and the distance from the point of impact to the base of the wall.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the wrecking ball hits the wall near the top, the wall is more likely to fall over by rotating at its base rather than fall straight down. This is because when the wrecking ball hits the top of the wall, it creates a torque or rotational force that causes the wall to rotate around its base.

The magnitude of this torque depends on the force of the collision and the distance from the point of impact to the base of the wall.

If the wall is struck with the same force at its base, it may fall straight down or over by rotating, depending on how firmly it is attached at its base. If the wall is securely attached at its base, it is more likely to fall straight down. On the other hand, if the wall is not firmly attached at its base, it is more likely to fall over by rotating.