Question

Suppose two identical marbles (A and B) are rolled off of a horizontal tabletop, after which they undergo free-fall movement throughout their respective flights toward the ground. Marble A is seen to be rolling at a slower speed on the tabletop (as compared to B) upon reaching the edge of the table. In the space below, determine and explain (i) which marble, if any, will be in flight for a shorter amount of time, and (ii) which marble, if any, will hit the ground at a faster overall speed?

Answer 1

According to the question the horizontal speed of marble A is slower than horizontal speed of marble B.

(i) Using the equation of kinematics, (Since intial verticle speed for both marbles is zero.)

This is the time taken by both the marbles. Both of them have equal time of flight because it is independent of horizontal speed.

(ii) Final verticle speed of both marble A and B is

Since the horizontal speed of B is more than A. Therefore it has overall faster speed when hitting the ground.