Help Needed: Solving a Physics Assignment with Marble and Ramp

In summary, a physics teacher has assigned a deceptive assignment to a Year 12 class, asking them to determine if a marble at the top of a ramp converts all of its potential energy into kinetic energy at the bottom. The teacher has given a hint about "predictions" and provided a ramp and marble for experimentation. The student is seeking help in understanding what the teacher wants them to find out, potentially involving measuring the marble's speed at the bottom and considering potential energy losses such as air resistance or heat.
  • #1
missphysics12
2
0
need urgent helllllp!

im in year 12 at the moment and our new physics teacher has set us an assignment. it is very deceptively simple he informs us.
it reads: does a marble at the top of a ramp convert all of its potential energy up the top, into kinetic energy at the bottom of the ramp...or something along those lines. he has given us a hint by telling us "predictions". he says we can either do simple calculations and get 50% or find out what he wants from this and achieve an awesome result. i can't seem to see what he wants us to find out so anyone's help would be greatly appreciated? he has given us a ramp and a marble...
im stuck pleeeeease help!
amber.
 
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  • #2
It seems you need to measure the speed of the marble at the bottom. Maybe measure how long it takes to cover a certain horizontal distance once it left the ramp?
 
  • #3
missphysics12 said:
does a marble at the top of a ramp convert all of its potential energy up the top, into kinetic energy at the bottom

Maybe the teacher is asking whether there are some ways that energy might be lost by the system as the marble rolls down.
 
  • #4
Those being things like air resistence or maybe some minor heat or sound
 

Related to Help Needed: Solving a Physics Assignment with Marble and Ramp

1. How do I calculate the acceleration of the marble on the ramp?

The acceleration of the marble on the ramp can be calculated using the formula a = gsinθ, where g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2) and θ is the angle of inclination of the ramp.

2. What is the relationship between the angle of inclination and the speed of the marble on the ramp?

The speed of the marble on the ramp is directly proportional to the angle of inclination. This means that as the angle of inclination increases, the speed of the marble also increases.

3. How does the mass of the marble affect its motion on the ramp?

The mass of the marble does not affect its motion on the ramp as long as the ramp is frictionless. This is because the acceleration of the marble is solely determined by the angle of inclination and the acceleration due to gravity, which are both constant.

4. Can the marble ever reach the top of the ramp?

No, the marble can never reach the top of the ramp since it will always experience some degree of acceleration due to gravity, which will prevent it from coming to a complete stop.

5. How can I calculate the distance traveled by the marble on the ramp?

The distance traveled by the marble on the ramp can be calculated using the formula d = (v^2/g)sin2θ, where v is the initial velocity of the marble and θ is the angle of inclination of the ramp.

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