Question

How would you find force of the ping pong ball rolling down the track?

Answer 1

Force of the ping pong ball rolling down the track:

Answer

Weight

               a) weight's vertical component = Normal upward force

               b) weight's horizontal component = Friction force = (mass of ball)(acceleration)

These forces depend upon the track,

1) inclined or horizontal

2) steepness.

Explanation

The force of gravity points straight down, but a ball rolling down a ramp doesn't go straight down, it follows the ramp. Therefore, only the component of the weight which points along the direction of the ball's motion can accelerate the ball.

weight's horizontal component = Friction force = (mass of ball)(acceleration)

The other component pushes the ball into the ramp, and the ramp pushes back.

If the ramp is horizontal, then the ball does not accelerate, as gravity pushes the ball into the ramp and not along the surface of the ramp.