Question about falling bodies

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the forces acting on a spherical object rolling down an angled surface, particularly focusing on the concept of adherence to the surface for a brief period. Participants explore the physical forces involved in this scenario, with an emphasis on the context of a fictional narrative rather than strict scientific accuracy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the sphere adheres to the surface in a sticky manner or if there are other forces at play.
  • Another participant clarifies that they are not referring to stickiness but rather to physical forces that might keep the sphere on the surface temporarily.
  • A participant identifies gravity and friction as the primary forces acting on the sphere at the point of contact with the surface.
  • Another contribution suggests that the sphere may linger on the surface due to the time it takes to accelerate after being released, and mentions potential adhesion based on material properties and environmental factors.
  • Air resistance is also noted as a force that must be considered when the sphere moves through the air.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the specific forces involved, and multiple viewpoints regarding the nature of adherence and the forces acting on the sphere remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of the surface and the sphere, as well as the environmental conditions affecting the scenario. The lack of precise definitions and the fictional context may limit the applicability of the points raised.

ggblk
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What force(s) are at work when a spherical object, rolling down an angled surface, tends to adhere to the surface, if only for a short while? Does such a thing exist or am I playing fast and loose with the laws of nature?

Thanks
 
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What do you mean by adhere? Are you saying the sphere is sticky and sticks to the surface?
 
Mu naught said:
What do you mean by adhere? Are you saying the sphere is sticky and sticks to the surface?

Thanks for replying.

No, not sticky in the standard sense of the word. I was hoping there might be physical forces at work while the sphere was rolling that would make it less likely to depart from the surface -- if only for a few seconds.

This is for a work of fiction, so I'm less interested in exactitude as I am in giving the scene an authentic feeling.
 
ggblk said:
No, not sticky in the standard sense of the word. I was hoping there might be physical forces at work while the sphere was rolling that would make it less likely to depart from the surface -- if only for a few seconds.

This is for a work of fiction, so I'm less interested in exactitude as I am in giving the scene an authentic feeling.

If the surface is less than vertical, the ball will roll down it, otherwise, it will fall.
 
202250 said:
If the surface is less than vertical, the ball will roll down it, otherwise, it will fall.

I realize that. The surface is only *slightly* less than vertical. What I'm asking is, what specific forces are at work?
 
there's the gravity force and there is the force of friction at the point of contact between the sphere and the surface.
 
When a ball sits on the surface, it might linger there for a moment because it takes time to accelerate after it's released. There might be some force of adhesion between the ball and the surface. Adhesion depends on the material structure and composition of the ball, surface, and the environmental parameters like temperature. There will also be some resistance from the air around the ball, which has to be displaced in order for the ball to move through it. I can't think of any other major forces involved, in a simple scenario.
 

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