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vijay_singh
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Can anybody please explain why the ball dropped from a moving train appears to take a parabolic path w.r.t the frame of reference of a person standing at the platform?
Thanks
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vijay_singh said:Can anybody please explain why the ball dropped from a moving train appears to take a parabolic path w.r.t the frame of reference of a person standing at the platform?
Thanks
Nabeshin said:In the reference frame of the platform the ball has initial horizontal velocity equal to the velocity of the train. The vertical direction is the same observed on the train because both observers agree that gravity is acting on the ball causing an acceleration -g. But, in the platform's reference frame it already had x-velocity, and the resultant path is a parabola.
The effect of gravity on a ball dropped from a moving train is the same as if the ball were dropped from a stationary position. Gravity will cause the ball to accelerate towards the ground at a rate of 9.8 meters per second squared.
Yes, the ball's speed and direction will change. When the ball is dropped from a moving train, it will inherit the train's horizontal velocity, but gravity will cause it to accelerate vertically towards the ground. This means that the ball's speed will increase as it falls and its direction will change from horizontal to diagonal.
Air resistance, also known as drag, will act on the ball as it falls through the air. This will cause the ball to experience a force in the opposite direction of its motion, which will slow it down and alter its trajectory. However, the effect of air resistance will be relatively small compared to the force of gravity.
Yes, the height of the train will affect the time it takes for the ball to hit the ground. The ball will take longer to hit the ground if the train is higher because it will have a longer distance to fall. This can be calculated using the equation t = √(2h/g), where t is the time, h is the height, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.
The main factors that can influence the ball's trajectory when dropped from a moving train are gravity, air resistance, the initial velocity of the train, and the height of the train. Other factors, such as wind and the shape of the ball, can also play a role in the ball's trajectory.