Question

Which of the following frictionless ramps (A, B, or C) will give the ball the greatest speed at the bottom of the ramp? Explain.

Answer 1

The velocity would be the same for all ramps.

Answer 2

Answer:

The ball would have greatest speed at the bottom of ramp C

Explanation:

From the given ramps, C would generate the highest potential energy especially at the highest point that the ball starts to move down the ramp. Potential energy is the energy possessed by an object moving with a uniform velocit or at rest. Since potential energy increases with height, the potential energy gained by the ball on ramp C would cause an increase in its momentum as it glides down to the bottom of the ramp.