Question

A uniform sphere is placed on a smooth horizontal surface and a horizontal force F is applied on it at a distance h above the surface. The acceleration of the centre
(a) is maximum when h = 0
(b) is maximum when h = R
(c) is maximum when h = 2R
(d) is independent of h.

Answer 1

(d) is independent of h

Explanation:

• The acceleration of the center when a uniform sphere is placed on a smooth horizontal surface and a horizontal force F is applied on it at a distance h above the surface, is independent of h

• As the surface is flat, there is no other force along the ground, and the sphere slides with an acceleration = F / m that is independent of h.
• According to Newtonian mechanics, when the surface is smooth, there won’t be any pure rolling, only sliding will be there.
• Hence, for this condition the acceleration is independent of h.