Projectile Motion - Conceptual Example 3.2-3

 

Imagine that you are a passenger in one of those very tall monster trucks. The truck is driving safely at a constant speed down a long straight flat highway. Imagine that you have a ball. Now roll down the truck window and drop the ball outside of the truck.

 

Neglecting air resistance, how does the ball behave before it hits the ground?

 

a) The truck moves ahead of the ball.
b) The ball and truck travel side-by-side and remain even.
c) The ball passes the truck.
d) The ball passes the truck briefly and then starts to lag behind.
e) Not enough information.

 

 

 

How would your answer change if we took air resistance into account?

 

a) The truck moves ahead of the ball.
b) The ball and truck travel side-by-side and remain even.
c) The ball passes the truck.
d) The ball passes the truck briefly and then starts to lag behind.
e) Not enough information.

 

 

 

How would your answer change if, at the moment the ball was dropped, the driver releases the gas pedal and the truck starts to coast (do not neglect air resistance)?

 

a) The truck moves ahead of the ball.
b) The ball and truck travel side-by-side and remain even.
c) The ball passes the truck.
d) The ball passes the truck briefly and then starts to lag behind.
e) Not enough information.