Friction: Snooker Ball Mass & Speed Calculation

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the stopping distance of a snooker ball with a mass of 0.4 kg, initially traveling at 3 m/s, after striking a cushion and experiencing a 20% speed reduction. The coefficient of friction on the snooker table is 0.3, which affects the ball's deceleration. Using Newton's laws, the calculations show that the ball's speed decreases to 1.64 m/s after the cushion impact, leading to a stopping distance of 0.448 m. The conversation highlights the complexities of rolling versus sliding motion in this context.

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Shah 72
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A snooker ball of mass 0.4kg is struck towards a cushion from 0.8m away with speed 3m/s. The surface of the snooker table has a coefficient of friction of 0.3. When the ball bounces from the cushion its speed is reduced by 20%. Find how far from the cushion it stops.
 
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show your work on this problem, please
 
I have a basic problem with this. A snooker ball primarily rolls with only a slight amount of sliding. The coefficient of friction only applies to the sliding. To answer this you would have to know what part of the motion was sliding and I see no way to determine that.
 
skeeter said:
show your work on this problem, please
m=0.4kg, u=3m/s, coefficient of friction =0.3
By using Newtons law
F=m×a
-0.3×4=0.4a
a=-3m/s^2,
By using v^2=u^2+2as, v=2.05m/s when the ball hits the cushion
The speed decreases by 20%, so 2.05×0.8=1.64m/s. Again using v^2=u^2+2as, I get s=0.25m
 
skeeter said:
show your work on this problem, please
Oh sorry I had done a silly mistake. So initial velocity is 3 and when it hits the cushion, the final velocity is 2.05 m/s , this is reduced by 20% so now u= 1.64 m/s and v=0 ( as the ball stops) so the distance will be 0.448m
 
Country Boy said:
I have a basic problem with this. A snooker ball primarily rolls with only a slight amount of sliding. The coefficient of friction only applies to the sliding. To answer this you would have to know what part of the motion was sliding and I see no way to determine that.
Thanks! I could work out the solution.
 
I am glad. How did you handle the "rolling versus sliding" problem?
 
Country Boy said:
I am glad. How did you handle the "rolling versus sliding" problem?
I just guessed rolling. Iam still in A levels so probably my textbook doesn't get into so much detail.
 
If there were pure rolling, there would be NO friction!
 
  • #10
Country Boy said:
If there were pure rolling, there would be NO friction!
Yeah you are right.
 

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