ProLesson 2 of 37 min read

Why a ball speeds up as it rolls down a ramp

Use forces and energy to explain why a ball speeds up on a slope, and see where the simple model differs from reality.

Skateboards, sledges, cyclists freewheeling downhill and marbles on a run all speed up on a slope. Explaining why is a great test of the forces you met in the last lesson. There are two ways to tell the story: one with forces and one with energy. Good scientists can use both.

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Written with AI help. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.