Chapter 12, Problem 50A

Gather a selection of canned foods. Predict which will roll faster down an incline. Compare liquids (which slide or slosh rather thin roll inside the can) and solids. Roll the cans to test your predictions. Describe your results.

To determine

Whether liquid canned food will roll faster on an inclined plane compared to solid canned food.

Answer to Problem 50A

Liquid canned food will roll faster on an incline compared to solid canned food.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction: Lesser the viscosity, the more will be the kinetic energy of the particles.

Liquids roll faster because the Potential Energy is distributed in transitional kinetic energy and rotational kinetic energy. Also, the Viscosity of the liquid is lesser than the solid, which helps the liquid to slide or slosh inside the can and increase its speed outside on the incline rather than roll.

Conclusion: Liquid canned food will roll faster on an incline compared to solid canned food.