Question

Suppose you throw a rock nearly straight up at a coconut in a palm tree, and the rock misses on the way up but hits the coconut on the way down. Neglecting air resistance, how does the speed of the rock when it hits the coconut on the way down compare with what it would have been if it had hit the coconut on the way up? Is it more likely to dislodge the coconut on the way up or down? Explain.

a) Speed is greater; more likely on the way down.

b) Speed is greater; more likely on the way up.

c) Speed is the same; more likely on the way down.

d) Speed is the same; more likely on the way up.

Answer 1

The speed of the rock when it hits the coconut on the way down is greater than if it had hit the coconut on the way up, and it is more likely to dislodge the coconut on the way down.

Step-by-step explanation:

The speed of the rock when it hits the coconut on the way down is greater than what it would have been if it had hit the coconut on the way up. This is because when the rock is thrown nearly straight up, it slows down as it moves against the force of gravity. On the way back down, it accelerates due to the force of gravity, resulting in a higher speed when it hits the coconut.

It is more likely for the rock to dislodge the coconut on the way down. This is because the rock has a higher speed on the way down, which translates to a greater impact force when it hits the coconut. The higher impact force makes it more likely for the rock to dislodge the coconut.