Physics Test (Coursework Sample)

1 You are asked to throw a basketball into a shallow basket that is tipped toward you. Whenever you throw the ball into the basket, it bounces back out of the basket and falls onto the floor. How could this rebound be minimized when it is thrown?
The basketball is unable to get rid of its energy thus it bounces back. The rebounce can be minimized by tipping the shallow basket slightly away from you.
2 A glass plate is on a post and you are asked to throw a coin so that it lands on the plate. Why do the coins slide off the plate instead of stay?
The coins have a sliding force that slows them but it is too small and its duration of action is too small to stop the coin in the plate. On the other hand, the forward momentum of the coin when it reaches the end of the plate is still high hence the coin slides off the plate
3 A fair game of skill is trying to climb a ladder that is suspended between two points and reach up to ring a bell. The rope ladder is set to be climbed almost horizontally instead of vertically. Why is net force a critical element of being successful in this challenge? What human internal force must be overcome to beat this challenge?
The internal force to be overcame is the mas of the individual.
4 A wheel has a number of factors and forces that can be seen during movement
What happens if you used the wrong bike tire for the environment (a racing bike tire on a mountain trail, a mountain bike tire on the street)?
When you use a racing tire bike on in a mountain trail the speed will be slow and it will crash because it will lose traction. The tire will be damaged. However, there will be nothing bad happening to the tire of the mountain bike if it’s used on the street but the bike will be slow.
5 How does a climbing tower crane maintain balanced stability even though it increases in height?
The tower cranes are built with a large concrete pad at its base. Large anchor bolts are also embedded deep into the pad so that the cranes are bolted to the ground for stability.
6 What is an outrigger and how does it stabilize a crane?
Outrigger is a type of contraposing float rigging beyond the size of the gunwale of the crane to improve stability. It is often positioned rigidly and parallel to the main hull to minimize the chances of the main hum capsizing. In this way, the outrigger uses its weight to ensure that the crane does not topple on one side and its buoyancy reduces the chance of the crane toppling on the other direction.
7 How do pulleys increase the amount of weight that can be lifted by these cranes?
Pulleys increase the amount of weight that can be lifted by cranes by multiplying the force applied using the principle of the lever. Pulleys help them gain some potential energy that is equal to the weight multiplied by the distance moved. The cranes are able to lift the loads because it’s like the weight is moved closer to the seasaw. Consequently the leverage makes it possible to produce more force by working over a bigger distance.
8 How does oxidation increase metal fatigue?
Corrosion of metals can be a major problem, especially for long-term structural applications like cars, bridge...