ok, I was given a Chem problem and told to find the kinetic energy of a 45g golf ball moving at 61m/s and I calculated that it had 84J (or 20cal) of kinetic energy. I was then asked what happened to this energy when the ball lands in the sand and the answer I was given was that the energy would be transfered from the ball to the sand thus causing the sand where the ball landed to change in shape. Now, what I don't get is was it the energy from the ball or simply the ball's mass that caused the sand to change shape?
2007-03-23 15:45:17 · 6 answers · asked by The monkey did it! 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The energy of the ball is kinetic which, as you probably know, is 1/2 m v^2. So the ball's mass does cause the shape to change as KE is a function of mass and velocity.
I think you're asking if the ball's WEIGHT causes deformation. The answer would be yes, but not much. If you place the ball on the sand by hand, it would leave a small indentation.
So the answer you need is that it is indeed the ENERGY of the ball that is ultimately responsible for the bulk of the deformation.
2007-03-23 15:55:48 · answer #1 · answered by Cliff 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As the golf ball lands in the sand, its velocity drops back to zero over a short period of time, and thus its kinetic energy drops to zero as well. This energy moves the sand. However, take note that the velocity taken into account for KE calculations should be that of the golf ball just before it hits the sand and not at any other position in flight.
In addition, if the ball "sank" deeper into the sand after it hit the sand, then there was a loss of gravitational potential energy, and this energy would move the sand as well. Perhaps this was what you were thinking when you mentioned "mass".
2007-03-23 16:02:48 · answer #2 · answered by wentao 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a golfer, but little experience or knowledge of physics, I can tell you that if the sand is soft and fluffy, when it hits the sand, it goes in deeper creating a "fried egg" which is a tough lie. Harder sand of the wet and unraked variety, makes only a small dimple and stays on top of the sand (in that case I just chip out instead of the typical sand shot).
To put it in layman's terms, the velocity and kenetic energy of the ball is transferred into the sand.
2007-03-23 16:09:43 · answer #3 · answered by Tim the Enchanter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's used up (actually, transfered may be a better word) by friction. Ek = 0 when there is no motion.
2007-03-23 16:16:43 · answer #4 · answered by Caninelegion 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the energy.The shape of the deformation is determined by the ball
2007-03-23 15:50:15 · answer #5 · answered by santmann2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its transfered and distributed into the little sands
2007-03-23 15:49:53 · answer #6 · answered by Buck BUCK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋