CE Predict/Explain A stalactite in a cave has drops of | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for Physics with MasteringPhysics

Chapter 9 Problem 44P

Question

Problem 44P

CE Predict/Explain A stalactite in a cave has drops of water falling from it to the cave floor below. The drops are equally

spaced in time and come in rapid succession, so that at any given moment there are many drops in midair. (a) Is the center of mass of the midair drops higher than, lower than, or equal to the halfway distance between the tip of the stalactite and the cave floor? (b) Choose the best explanation from among the following:

I. The drops bunch up as they near the floor of the cave.

II. The drops are equally spaced as they fall, since they are released at equal times.

III. Though equally spaced in time, the drops are closer together higher up.

Solution

Step 1 of 2

We are required to determine the position of the center of mass of the midair drops.

Part a

When the water drops from the stalactite drop to the cave floor, the equation that dictates this fall is . With time, the separations of the drops increase. But the drops that have just left the stalactite are closer to one another since time elapsed is less. Therefore, above the halfway the drops will be closely located. This implies that the center of mass of the the midair drops will be located higher than the halfway position.

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Title Physics with MasteringPhysics 4 
Author James S. Walker
ISBN 9780321541635

CE Predict/Explain A stalactite in a cave has drops of

Chapter 9 textbook questions

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