Question
Why is Newton's cradle an "almost-ideal" system?(1 point)
Responses
Friction and air resistance cause the balls to slow down eventually and stop.
Friction and air resistance cause the balls to slow down eventually and stop.
The system would work more efficiently if more balls were added.
The system would work more efficiently if more balls were added.
Friction and air resistance are negligible and the system continues to move indefinitely.
Friction and air resistance are negligible and the system continues to move indefinitely.
The balls continue on for an unlimited amount of time.
Responses
Friction and air resistance cause the balls to slow down eventually and stop.
Friction and air resistance cause the balls to slow down eventually and stop.
The system would work more efficiently if more balls were added.
The system would work more efficiently if more balls were added.
Friction and air resistance are negligible and the system continues to move indefinitely.
Friction and air resistance are negligible and the system continues to move indefinitely.
The balls continue on for an unlimited amount of time.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct response is:
**Friction and air resistance cause the balls to slow down eventually and stop.**
This is why Newton's cradle is considered an "almost-ideal" system; in a perfectly ideal system without any friction or air resistance, the motion would continue indefinitely. However, in reality, these forces cause energy loss, leading to a gradual decrease in motion until the balls eventually come to a stop.
**Friction and air resistance cause the balls to slow down eventually and stop.**
This is why Newton's cradle is considered an "almost-ideal" system; in a perfectly ideal system without any friction or air resistance, the motion would continue indefinitely. However, in reality, these forces cause energy loss, leading to a gradual decrease in motion until the balls eventually come to a stop.