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Ball roll downhill
Why does a ball roll downhill?
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1 Reply
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A ball rolls downhill due to the force of gravity acting upon it. Gravity is the natural force that attracts objects with mass towards each other. When a ball is on an inclined surface or a slope, gravity pulls it downward, creating a force that propels the ball downhill.
The force of gravity can be broken down into two components: the force acting perpendicular to the slope (normal force) and the force acting parallel to the slope (the component that causes the ball to roll). The parallel component of gravity, also known as the force component along the slope, is responsible for the ball’s motion.
As the ball starts to move downhill, the force acting parallel to the slope accelerates it. The ball gains momentum and continues to roll down the slope until it reaches the bottom or encounters another force that opposes its motion, such as friction or air resistance.
Friction between the ball and the surface it rolls on plays a role in determining the ball’s speed and how far it travels. Friction opposes the motion of the ball, and the amount of friction depends on the characteristics of the surface and the ball itself. If the slope is smooth and the surface offers little resistance, the ball will roll farther and faster. However, if the surface is rough or there are other forces at play, such as air resistance, the ball’s motion may be impeded.
In summary, a ball rolls downhill due to the force of gravity, which provides the driving force that propels the ball along the slope. Friction and other factors can affect the ball’s motion, but gravity is the primary force behind its downhill movement.
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