What happens to kinetic energy of a snowball as it rolls across the lawn and gains mass
The momentum, p(t)=m(t)⋅v(t), of the snowball should remain constant as there is no external force acting on the system, that is the snowball and the snowflakes it gathers, in the direction of travel.
i.e. ΣF=.p=0 so p=const.
As for KE, T(t)=12mv2=p22m=const.m
as mass is increasing, KE should decrease
this has greatly simplified it all, as it looks at it as a point mass
it will decreases
When a snowball rolls across the lawn and gains mass, its kinetic energy changes. To understand this, we need to consider the concept of kinetic energy and how it relates to mass.
Kinetic energy (KE) is the energy of an object in motion. It depends on two factors: the object's mass (m) and its velocity (v). The formula for kinetic energy is KE = 1/2 * m * v^2, where the ^ symbol denotes exponentiation.
As the snowball rolls across the lawn, it gains mass by picking up additional snow. The increase in mass affects the snowball's kinetic energy. If we assume that the snowball maintains a constant velocity while gaining mass, we can analyze the changes in its kinetic energy using the formula mentioned earlier.
Since the mass (m) in the formula increases and the velocity (v) remains constant, the kinetic energy (KE) of the snowball will increase proportionally to the increase in mass. Therefore, as the snowball gains mass, its kinetic energy will also increase.
In summary, as a snowball rolls across the lawn and gains mass, its kinetic energy increases due to the direct relationship between mass and kinetic energy according to the kinetic energy formula.