Do Weight Differences Affect Speed on a Frictionless Hill?

[JG89]

Homework Statement

A 1-lb block and a 100-lb block are placed side by side at the top of a frictionless hill. Each is given a very light tap to begin their race to the bottom of the hill. In the absence of air resistance, what can you conclude about the outcome of the race?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

This is a multiple choice question. Here are the choices:

1) The 1-lb block wins the race.
2) The 100-lb block wins the race.
3) The two blocks end in a tie.
4) There’s not enough information to determine which block wins the race.


We haven't learned the mathematics behind this question yet. It's a conceptual question. I was thinking, since the hill is frictionless, the 100-lb block should have more force going down the hill than the 1-lb, so I figure that the 100-lb block should win the race. I'm not too confident in my answer though...

 

[rl.bhat]

In the absence of air resistance and friction, all the objects will have the same acceleration during free fall. It is independent of mass. Sliding down from a hill top is also a free fall.

 

[w3390]

To add to what rl.bhat said, check out this link (http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/vectors/u3l3e.cfm). Since you said you haven't learned how to do this yet, it is hard to explain why using equations, so maybe this will help.

 

[JG89]

So the race will be a tie?