What happens to this energy when the ball lands in a sand trap?

October 13th, 2009 | by Michael |
energy
Ben and Jerry’s asked:


How many of the following happens?

The kinetic energy is transferred to the air.
The kinetic energy is transferred to the sand.
Its speed drops to zero.
Its speed increases.
Energy is consumed.
Energy is released.
The ball expands due to heat increase.
The ball is deformed

CARMEN

  1. 2 Responses to “What happens to this energy when the ball lands in a sand trap?”

  2. By Heisenberg on Oct 14, 2009 | Reply

    The kinetic energy is transferred to the sand.
    Its speed drops to zero.
    Energy is consumed.

  3. By odimwitdwon on Oct 15, 2009 | Reply

    1. only a little bit. most likely teacher expects “none” here, if so, teacher is wrong - - but almost right.
    2. obviously
    3. obviously
    4. not too likely - would have to be (for instance) rolling on grass then fall into trap on an edge and pick up speed rolling down into trap. Possible but unlikely
    5. I have no idea what is meant by “consumed” if what is meant is it is transfered and expended (say in moving sand around) then yes, it is. If what is meant is that it is lost from the universe for all time, then no.
    6. obviously
    7. some of the KE energy will be converted to heat. And there will be compression of the ball also causing heating. But the trap may be cooler (or hotter) so this is another ambigous question. lousy teacher.
    8. permanently? or instantaneously? obviously not permanently but yes temproarily (for microseconds or milliseconds).

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