ace of the ramp is so slick that both spheres slide without rolling down the ramp, which sphere should reach the bottom first, and why? b) If instead the surface of the ramp has enough friction that both spheres roll without slipping down the ramp, which sphere should reach the bottom first, and why?

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Two spheres appear identical in all ways (including having the same mass and the same radius) except one sphere is solid while the other is hollow. Both spheres are placed at the top of a ramp and released from rest at the same time . a) If the surface of the ramp is so slick that both spheres slide without rolling down the ramp, which sphere should reach the bottom first, and why? b) If instead the surface of the ramp has enough friction that both spheres roll without slipping down the ramp, which sphere should reach the bottom first, and why?
**Physics Problem: Motion of Spheres on a Ramp**

**Overview:**
Two spheres appear identical in all ways (including having the same mass and the same radius), except one sphere is solid while the other is hollow. Both spheres are placed at the top of a ramp and released from rest at the same time.

**Problem Statement:**

a) **Scenario 1: Sliding Without Rolling**
   If the surface of the ramp is so slick that both spheres slide without rolling down the ramp, which sphere should reach the bottom first, and why?

b) **Scenario 2: Rolling Without Slipping**
   If instead the surface of the ramp has enough friction that both spheres roll without slipping down the ramp, which sphere should reach the bottom first, and why?

---

**Detailed Explanation:**

In Scenario 1, where the ramp is slick and both spheres slide without rolling, the determining factors are the same for both spheres:
- Both spheres start from rest.
- Both are subjected to the same gravitational force.
  
Since there is no rotational motion and only translational kinetic energy is considered, both spheres will reach the bottom at the same time because the conditions affecting them are identical. The moment of inertia does not play a role in this scenario.

In Scenario 2, where both spheres roll without slipping, there is a distinction due to the distribution of mass:
- The solid sphere has its mass distributed more uniformly and closer to the center.
- The hollow sphere has its mass distributed farther from the center.

The rolling motion involves both translational and rotational kinetic energies. The moment of inertia \( I \) for a solid sphere is \( \frac{2}{5}mr^2 \) and for a hollow sphere is \( \frac{2}{3}mr^2 \). A lower moment of inertia (as seen in the solid sphere) allows for less rotational resistance, enabling more energy to contribute to translational motion.

Hence, with less resistance to its rolling motion coupled with effective energy conversion from gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy, the solid sphere will reach the bottom first.

**Conclusion:**

- In a slide without rolling scenario, both spheres will reach the bottom at the same time.
- In a roll without slipping scenario, the solid sphere will reach the bottom first.
Transcribed Image Text:**Physics Problem: Motion of Spheres on a Ramp** **Overview:** Two spheres appear identical in all ways (including having the same mass and the same radius), except one sphere is solid while the other is hollow. Both spheres are placed at the top of a ramp and released from rest at the same time. **Problem Statement:** a) **Scenario 1: Sliding Without Rolling** If the surface of the ramp is so slick that both spheres slide without rolling down the ramp, which sphere should reach the bottom first, and why? b) **Scenario 2: Rolling Without Slipping** If instead the surface of the ramp has enough friction that both spheres roll without slipping down the ramp, which sphere should reach the bottom first, and why? --- **Detailed Explanation:** In Scenario 1, where the ramp is slick and both spheres slide without rolling, the determining factors are the same for both spheres: - Both spheres start from rest. - Both are subjected to the same gravitational force. Since there is no rotational motion and only translational kinetic energy is considered, both spheres will reach the bottom at the same time because the conditions affecting them are identical. The moment of inertia does not play a role in this scenario. In Scenario 2, where both spheres roll without slipping, there is a distinction due to the distribution of mass: - The solid sphere has its mass distributed more uniformly and closer to the center. - The hollow sphere has its mass distributed farther from the center. The rolling motion involves both translational and rotational kinetic energies. The moment of inertia \( I \) for a solid sphere is \( \frac{2}{5}mr^2 \) and for a hollow sphere is \( \frac{2}{3}mr^2 \). A lower moment of inertia (as seen in the solid sphere) allows for less rotational resistance, enabling more energy to contribute to translational motion. Hence, with less resistance to its rolling motion coupled with effective energy conversion from gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy, the solid sphere will reach the bottom first. **Conclusion:** - In a slide without rolling scenario, both spheres will reach the bottom at the same time. - In a roll without slipping scenario, the solid sphere will reach the bottom first.
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