Practice question · Sort into groups
Sort each problem scenario by the most efficient method to solve it.
Groups: Energy methods · Force/Newton's laws
- Find normal force on incline
- Find acceleration of two connected blocks
- Find max height of projectile from speed
- Find speed after elastic collision
- Find tension in a string at angle
- Find speed at bottom of frictionless ramp
Hints
- Energy methods skip the forces; force methods find them.
- If the question asks for a force, energy alone will not deliver it.
Show the answer
Energy methods: Find speed at bottom of frictionless ramp, Find max height of projectile from speed, Find speed after elastic collision
Force/Newton's laws: Find normal force on incline, Find acceleration of two connected blocks, Find tension in a string at angle
Why
Energy methods skip the details of forces; force methods find individual forces.
Practise Problem-Solving: Mechanics
The app has 5 more questions on this lesson, and keeps your place in the course. Physics I is free to start.
More questions on Problem-Solving: Mechanics
- Complete the statement with the correct term.
- Match each problem type to the best conservation law or principle.
- Which strategies are useful for solving mechanics problems?
- Complete the following passage by choosing the correct terms from the word bank.
- A bullet embeds in a hanging wooden block, which then swings upward. To find the bullet’s initial speed, put…
- Some mechanics problems are far easier with energy methods than with forces. How can you tell in advance…
- When solving mechanics problems, choosing the right coordinate system can simplify the equations…