Question

Two objects with the same mass are released from rest from the same height. One is sliding along a frictionless incline, the other is in free fall:a.We cannot say anything about the speed of the balls at the bottom.b.The ball that slides will have the greatest speed at the bottom.c.The two balls will have the same speed at the bottom.d.The ball in free fall will have the greatest speed at the bottom.

Answer 1

Both objects start at rest, with the same potential energy.

It is converted to kinetic energy as the objects head towards the ground.

When both objects hit the ground, the height is zero, so potential energy is also zero.

P = m x g x h

When Potential energy is zero, kinetic energy is at a maximum.

PE = 1/2 xm x v^2

So, in both cases, when the object hits the ground, the velocity will be the same.

Answer:

c.The two balls will have the same speed at the bottom.