Velocity of Ball on a Decline Ramp

In summary, the physics teacher gave a challenge question and the class is struggling to figure out where the ball will land. The class needs help with conservation of energy principles and solving for the ball's velocity.
  • #1
maja_08
2
0
My physics teacher gave us this challenge question as homework, and basically the entire class is struggling with it. Guidance would be much appreciated.
A ball is released, with an initial velocity of 0, on a 1 m long ramp. The ramp is set up on a table, approximately .75 m above the ground, and we have to figure out where the ball will land on the floor. Here are all of the known values we have:

Initial Velocity of ball = 0 m/s
Length of Ramp: 1 m
Angle of Ramp Relative to the Table: 13o
Max Height of the Ramp: 22 cm
Vertical Distance from the Floor to the Table: 75 cm

Variables I am trying to find:
?? = Total Velocity of the Ball at the end of the ramp
?? = Vertical and Horizontal Velocities of the Ball at the end of the ramp
?? = Time it takes for the Ball to move all the way down the ramp
?? = How far away the ball would land away from the table (The system is set up so that the ball would not bounce off the table after falling off the ramp, it would go directly to the floor)




My partner and I tried many equations, but in all of them we were missing key variables, such as the mass of the ball.



As I said above, we tried many things, but in the end we just ended up needing another variable that was not given to us.
 
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  • #2
Have you learned conservation of energy principles (particularly [tex]mgh=\frac{1}{2}mv^{2}[/tex]) yet? You can use that to solve for the velocity of the ball.
 
  • #3
A good starting point will be to consider that momentum is conserved. That means that potential energy at the start = kinetic energy at the end.

Potential energy = mgh, kinetic energy = 0.5*m*v^2
 
  • #4
Is the "m" in those equations the mass? Because if so, we were not given the mass, so I would have to make an estimate.
 

FAQ: Velocity of Ball on a Decline Ramp

What factors affect the velocity of a ball on a decline ramp?

The velocity of a ball on a decline ramp is affected by several factors, including the angle of the ramp, the height and speed of the ball at the top of the ramp, and the presence of any external forces such as friction or air resistance.

How does the angle of the ramp impact the velocity of the ball?

The steeper the angle of the ramp, the faster the ball will accelerate downwards due to gravity. This will result in a higher velocity compared to a ball on a shallower ramp.

Does the mass of the ball affect its velocity on a decline ramp?

According to the law of inertia, the mass of an object does not affect its velocity. Therefore, the mass of the ball will not have a direct impact on its velocity on a decline ramp.

How does friction affect the velocity of the ball on a decline ramp?

Friction is a force that acts against the motion of an object. In the case of a ball on a decline ramp, friction between the ball and the ramp will slow down the ball's acceleration and decrease its velocity compared to a frictionless ramp.

Can the velocity of the ball on a decline ramp be calculated?

Yes, the velocity of the ball on a decline ramp can be calculated using the formula v = √(2gh), where v is the velocity, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of the ramp.

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