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Two spheres look identical and have the same mass. However, one is hollow and the other is solid. Describe an experiment to determine which is which.

Two spheres look identical and have the same mass. However, one is hollow and the other is solid. Describe an experiment to determine which is which.

College Physics
College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
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**Experiment to Determine the Hollow and Solid Sphere** **Problem Statement:** Two spheres look identical and have the same mass. However, one is hollow and the other is solid. Describe an experiment to determine which is which. **Experimental Setup:** 1. **Materials Needed:** - Two spheres (one hollow, one solid, but visually identical and of equal mass) - Incline plane - Stopwatch or timer - Measuring tape or ruler 2. **Procedure:** - Set up an inclined plane with a gentle slope. - Place the spheres at the top of the incline and release them simultaneously. - Use the stopwatch to measure the time taken for each sphere to reach the bottom. 3. **Observation:** - Due to the difference in the distribution of mass, the solid sphere has a lower moment of inertia compared to the hollow sphere. This means it will accelerate faster and reach the bottom of the incline first. 4. **Conclusion:** - The sphere that reaches the bottom first is solid. - The sphere that takes longer is hollow. **Explanation:** When two objects have the same mass but different distributions of that mass, their moments of inertia will differ. A hollow object has more of its mass distributed further from the center, increasing its moment of inertia. This influences its rotational acceleration, causing it to roll slower compared to a solid object of the same mass. This simple experiment utilizes concepts of physics such as rotational inertia and acceleration to distinguish between solid and hollow objects.
Transcribed Image Text:**Experiment to Determine the Hollow and Solid Sphere** **Problem Statement:** Two spheres look identical and have the same mass. However, one is hollow and the other is solid. Describe an experiment to determine which is which. **Experimental Setup:** 1. **Materials Needed:** - Two spheres (one hollow, one solid, but visually identical and of equal mass) - Incline plane - Stopwatch or timer - Measuring tape or ruler 2. **Procedure:** - Set up an inclined plane with a gentle slope. - Place the spheres at the top of the incline and release them simultaneously. - Use the stopwatch to measure the time taken for each sphere to reach the bottom. 3. **Observation:** - Due to the difference in the distribution of mass, the solid sphere has a lower moment of inertia compared to the hollow sphere. This means it will accelerate faster and reach the bottom of the incline first. 4. **Conclusion:** - The sphere that reaches the bottom first is solid. - The sphere that takes longer is hollow. **Explanation:** When two objects have the same mass but different distributions of that mass, their moments of inertia will differ. A hollow object has more of its mass distributed further from the center, increasing its moment of inertia. This influences its rotational acceleration, causing it to roll slower compared to a solid object of the same mass. This simple experiment utilizes concepts of physics such as rotational inertia and acceleration to distinguish between solid and hollow objects.
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