Rolling vs. Sliding: Which Ball Reaches Bottom Faster?

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SUMMARY

In the discussion titled "Rolling vs. Sliding: Which Ball Reaches Bottom Faster?", it is established that when two identical balls, one rolling and one sliding, descend identical slopes, the rolling ball will reach the bottom slower if friction is negligible. This is due to the conversion of gravitational potential energy (GPE) into both translational and rotational kinetic energy (KE), with the rolling ball allocating some energy to rotation. However, when friction is considered, the rolling ball can potentially reach the bottom faster, as long as the friction is sufficient to prevent slipping, indicating that the coefficient of friction plays a critical role in this scenario.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gravitational potential energy (GPE)
  • Knowledge of kinetic energy (KE) types: translational and rotational
  • Familiarity with the concept of friction in motion
  • Basic principles of physics related to rolling motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of energy conservation in physics
  • Learn about the effects of friction on rolling objects
  • Explore the calculations for rolling without slipping
  • Investigate the relationship between the coefficient of friction and motion dynamics
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of motion, particularly in comparing rolling and sliding objects on inclined planes.

Sockpirate
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This isn't homework, but I thought that it's probably better in here, as it's a fairly quick question.
OK, so I have 2 identical balls (exact same mass and radius). They rest on the same position on 2 identical slopes (same gradient) and begin to move down the ramps. The only difference is that one rolls down and one slides down (i.e. doesn't roll). Which one reaches the bottom with the greater speed? Assume that the effect of friction is negligible.

OK, so obviously GPE is converted into kinetic energy. This should be the same for both balls, since they start at the same height.
However, would I be right in saying that the rolling ball will move slower (if friction is negligible), as some KE will be rotational and not translational KE?

If friction were not negligible (i.e. it actually had an effect) which one would be faster now? Intuition tells me the rolling ball will, but I can't think why.

Anyway, thanks very much for the help! As I said, it's not homework, just something I'm interested in, but thought it'd probably fit better in this forum ^^
 
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Sockpirate said:
Assume that the effect of friction is negligible.
But friction cannot be neglected in the case of rolling without slipping. Without friction, the ball wouldn't roll.

OK, so obviously GPE is converted into kinetic energy. This should be the same for both balls, since they start at the same height.
However, would I be right in saying that the rolling ball will move slower (if friction is negligible), as some KE will be rotational and not translational KE?
If you compare something that slides without friction down the ramp to something that rolls down the ramp, you are absolutely correct.

If friction were not negligible (i.e. it actually had an effect) which one would be faster now? Intuition tells me the rolling ball will, but I can't think why.
I haven't done the calculation, but I imagine it would depend on the coefficient of friction. (Note that for the case of rolling without slipping, the speed down the ramp does not depend on the coefficient of friction, so long as it's enough to prevent slipping.)
 

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