- #1
icedoverfire
- 6
- 0
Question:
A boy is sliding down a long icy hill on a sled. In order to decrease his mass and increase his velocity, he drops his heavy winter coat and heavy boots from the sled while he is moving. Will his strategy work?
A. No, b/c he loses the potential energy of the objects he leaves behind.
B. No, because although his kinetic energy increases, his momentum decreases.
C. Yes, because although his kinetic energy decreases, his momentum increases.
D. Yes, because although his momentum decreases, his kinetic energy decreases.
Thought Process:
I answered B, when the correct answer is A. I'm not seeing why.
I know that C and D are just wrong - not sure why. Know it intuitively but cannot explain it.
Thanks,
- ice
A boy is sliding down a long icy hill on a sled. In order to decrease his mass and increase his velocity, he drops his heavy winter coat and heavy boots from the sled while he is moving. Will his strategy work?
A. No, b/c he loses the potential energy of the objects he leaves behind.
B. No, because although his kinetic energy increases, his momentum decreases.
C. Yes, because although his kinetic energy decreases, his momentum increases.
D. Yes, because although his momentum decreases, his kinetic energy decreases.
Thought Process:
I answered B, when the correct answer is A. I'm not seeing why.
I know that C and D are just wrong - not sure why. Know it intuitively but cannot explain it.
Thanks,
- ice