Problem 2.17

Please wait for the animation to completely load.

Drag the black rectangle into position (between x = 0.5 m to x = 3.5 m) before you play the animation (position is given in meters and time is given in seconds).  Play the animation in order to measure the time when the ball collides with the rectangle.  After the ball collides with the rectangle, you must click "reset" to move the rectangle to a new position and play the animation again.   Restart.

1. How would you describe the motion of the ball before it collides with the rectangle?  How many measurements are needed to confirm your description?
2. Is the x trajectory of the ball best described using the equation for constant velocity or the equation for constant acceleration?  Support your answer with actual measurements.
3. Find an equation for the x trajectory of the ball (before it hits the rectangle).  What minimum number of measurements is required to determine this trajectory?

Instructor's Resource CD Edition: Do not post or distribute.
The complete version of Physlet Physics is available as a text with CD; Physlet Physics can be bundled with this Prentice Hall textbook.
© 2004 by Prentice-Hall, Inc. A Pearson Company