- #1
curiouschris
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My Son asked me a question, I am not sure how to answer it.
It feels easier to push or roll a heavy ball up a hill than it is to pick it up and carry it up the same hill.
The ball has the same potential energy at the top of the hill no matter how it got there so it would appear to be deceptive?
Is the amount of energy required for both cases the same?
How do I calculate the energy used in either case?
What about for a cube?
The cube rolls end over end, friction prevents the cube from rolling back down (moderate slope) does it just feel easier because of the small rest periods in between? or is it actually easier than carrying the cube up because much of the weight is resting on the ground at all times?
Thanks in advance.
CC
It feels easier to push or roll a heavy ball up a hill than it is to pick it up and carry it up the same hill.
The ball has the same potential energy at the top of the hill no matter how it got there so it would appear to be deceptive?
Is the amount of energy required for both cases the same?
How do I calculate the energy used in either case?
What about for a cube?
The cube rolls end over end, friction prevents the cube from rolling back down (moderate slope) does it just feel easier because of the small rest periods in between? or is it actually easier than carrying the cube up because much of the weight is resting on the ground at all times?
Thanks in advance.
CC