Why does the force of gravity do no work on a bowling ball rolling a long a bowling alley?

Answer 1

to correct what's been stated so far: the force of gravity DOES NOT do work on the bowling ball because work represents a change in total energy of the system. Because the ball does NOT go up or down in height (bowling lanes ARE level by the way, anyone who has bowled with a five year old knows a ball will inevitably stop half way down the lane) there is no gain or loss in potential energy. ALL of the kinetic energy comes from the bowler themselves and travels in an entirely horizontal direction (perpendicular to the gravitational force). the only way you COULD say that gravity does work is indirectly through friction, which slows the ball down over time, reducing the kinetic energy of the system

Answer 2

Work is force over a distance. (the equation is Work done = force * distance) where the force = m*g.

The force of gravity is a constant (to first order, anyway) but unless you move the bowling ball some distance in the direction of the force (which points DOWN, of course), then that force does no work on the bowling ball.

If you hold the bowling ball a foot off the ground and drop it, then gravity does work on the ball, and the amount of work done = one foot * the mass of the ball * g. That's because the ball moves down one foot as a result of the force. Assuming the bowling alley lane is flat, then in your question, the force of gravity down is going to be completely cancelled by the normal force pointing upward. It won't move up or down, no distance is travelled, and no work is done.

Now, it's true that the ball is moving down the alley, travelling for some distance, but not in the direction that gravity is pushing, so don't consider that for the purposes of this question.

Answer 3

Promethius's answer is correct. However, to simplify things, you can calculate work as force times distance. On a bowling lane, the ball travels level, without moving up or down. Since the force of gravity acts straight down, but the ball does not move down at all, the distance that the force of gravity moves the ball is zero. Therefore, the work done by gravity is zero.

Answer 4

Work is the result of a force acting along a path. Most bolling alley's a flat, hence 90-degrees with respect to the direction of the force of Gravity. So, no work is done on the ball.

Answer 5

The force of gravity acts towards the centre of the Earth.

By definition, Work = force x distance

The bowling ball is acted on by gravity but does not move towards the centre of the Earth. So we have :

Work = g x 0 = 0

Answer 6

Because the bowling ball is rolling on a flat surface; and for every part of the bowling ball that is going up, there is an equal amount going down--both at the same rate.

Answer 7

It does work, but not to the extent as some other objects rolling on smooth surfaces, the friction is considerably diminished on the bowling alley so it rolls longer with what seems like a constant velocity but it is actually slowing down. Gravity is what keeps it on the ground.

Answer 8

It does hold the bowling ball down onto the alley. The reason for the ball being so heavy is to keep its path toward the pins steady, so it doesn't roll everywhere...

Also, the ball is smooth and round and the alley is normally well greased/oiled(whatever), so this prevents and cuts down on a lot of the friction.

Answer 9

paintings = replace of complete means complete (mechanic) means is the sum skill (mgh) and kinetic mv.v/2. If one neglects friction of the ball in the alley there is not any replace neither in the skill no in the kinetic means --> hence no replace in mechanic means --> no paintings this is the main remarkable answer to this question. for sure a and b are incorrect. First c too - even while skill E is coneverted to kinetic E the mechanical E can no longer replace. final c is formally authentic because of the fact while stress is perpendicular to the speed the paintings is 0.

Answer 10

Gravity is a downward force ONLY. A bowling alley is not level, it's slightly angled downward to the pins.... and it's waxed to reduce friction.