Which object reaches the bottom of the ramp first, a cylinder or a sphere?

Thread starter preluderacer
Start date Nov 7, 2010
Tags

Cylinder Sphere

AI Thread Summary

A cylinder and a sphere of the same mass and diameter roll down a ramp without slipping. The discussion centers on which object reaches the bottom first. It is established that both will reach the ground simultaneously. The reasoning provided highlights that the sphere has a lower rotational inertia, which influences its acceleration. Ultimately, the conclusion is that both objects arrive at the bottom at the same time.

Nov 7, 2010

preluderacer

Homework Statement

A cylinder and a sphere, both solid and uniform and having the same mass and diameter, roll without slipping down the same ramp starting from rest. Both of them will reach the ground at the same time.

The Attempt at a Solution

I think the sphere will reach the ground first because has a lower rotational inertia? Is this correct?

Physics news on Phys.org

Nov 8, 2010

Mindscrape

Yes, that is correct.

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...

View full post »

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...

View full post »

Thread 'Explain this asphalt sheen'

This problem is two parts. The first is to determine what effects are being provided by each of the elements - 1) the window panes; 2) the asphalt surface. My answer to that is The second part of the problem is exactly why you get this affect. And one more spoiler:

View full post »