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gills
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Homework Statement
A bug lands on top of the frictionless, spherical head of a bald man. It begins to slide down his head.
Show that the bug leaves the head when it has dropped a vertical distance 1/3 the radius of the head.
Homework Equations
Not sure. Maybe:
E_f - E_i = 0 since it is conserving energy (no friction)
and/or possibly
F=ma to calculate the normal force = 0 when the bug is 1/3 vertical h down the head somehow?
The Attempt at a Solution
Well, if i use the E_f - E_i = 0:
If the bug fell R/3 vertical displacement then its height at E_f = (2/3)R
[mg(2R/3) + (1/2)mv^2] - (mgR) = 0 ----->
not quite sure how to prove that the bug drops off the head via this method.
Thanks in advance,
Tom
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