Something I have always wondered.

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter KlowD9x
  • Start date Start date
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the hypothetical scenario of dropping a tennis ball into a frictionless funnel. Participants explore the implications of a frictionless surface on the motion of the ball, considering aspects of physics such as deformation, energy loss, and the mechanics of motion through a constricted space.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the tennis ball would slide down the funnel and bounce back due to energy loss from deformation.
  • Others argue that without friction, the ball would not stop and would continue moving through the funnel.
  • A few participants challenge the feasibility of a solid object passing through a hole smaller than itself, questioning the mechanics involved.
  • Some contributions highlight that energy loss could occur due to air resistance or deformation, suggesting a vacuum scenario to eliminate these factors.
  • There are discussions about the nature of friction and resistance, with some asserting that a frictionless surface could still exert a normal force on the ball.
  • One participant proposes a calculation method to determine how far the ball could wedge itself into the funnel based on its properties.
  • Another participant draws an analogy to illustrate the contradictions in the scenario, comparing it to a loaded versus unloaded gun situation.
  • Some participants speculate about extreme conditions, such as shooting the ball fast enough to deform it to fit through the funnel.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the outcome of the scenario. Multiple competing views remain regarding the effects of friction, deformation, and the mechanics of the ball's motion through the funnel.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include assumptions about the nature of friction, the definition of a frictionless surface, and the physical properties of the tennis ball. The discussion also touches on the complexities of motion in constricted spaces and the effects of external forces.

  • #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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