List of contents

Question 9

Suppose that a ball is attached to a string and swung back and forth between P1 and P2 like a pendulum.

If you cut the ball when the ball is at the far end of its swing, which path would the ball take as it falls to the ground?

Average: = 46%

Please explain the arguments behind your choice.

Answer: Velocity is zero. Only force is directed perpendicular

Average: = 33%

Comment:

My guess is that the 2/3 of our students who gave the wrong answer are strong Aristotelian, assuming that the force of the movement in the past is still there and continues to have an effect.