Something I have always wondered.

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The discussion centers on the hypothetical scenario of dropping a tennis ball into a frictionless automotive funnel. Participants debate the role of friction and the normal force, concluding that even without friction, the ball would not pass through the funnel due to its size relative to the outlet. The ball would compress slightly as it wedges against the funnel's walls, stopping its descent. The conversation also touches on the theoretical versus practical implications of such a scenario, emphasizing the complexities of physical forces at play. Ultimately, the exercise serves as a thought experiment rather than a practical application.
  • #31
junglebeast said:
My point is that the underlying force behind "friction" and the "normal force" (which are not real independent forces) is the same thing, and it is present here, regardless of the value of the "Coefficient of friction."

I'm not sure what you mean by this, so I'll let you elaborate first.
 
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  • #32
Thank you all for your answers.

I can see that I will learn a lot here!
 
  • #33
i am really impressed by your reasons regarding this case...but seriously, who needs a tennis ball inside a funnel? what is its practical application anyway?
 
  • #34
Capt. McCoy said:
i am really impressed by your reasons regarding this case...but seriously, who needs a tennis ball inside a funnel? what is its practical application anyway?

There is no practical application. I get a lot of free time at work because working on cars has turned into a boring and tedious job so I have plenty of time to think about random crap that will make no difference in my life.
 

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