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2-D Motion

Tale of Two Golf Balls

Two golf balls are at rest on a smooth green (ok, friction holds them there, but we'll neglect friction once they start moving). Simultaneously, one golf ball is struck horizontally so that its initial velocity is "across a hill" and the other is released from rest so that it rolls directly down the hill. If we neglect the effects of grass, wind, etc, and only include the effect of the gravitational force of the Earth on the ball, which ball will reach the bottom of the hill first? (Answer: View Simulation)

 

 

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Dr. Aaron Titus | High Point University| titus@mailaps.org