Question

If you used 1000 J of energy to throw a ball, would it travel faster if you threw the ball (ignoring air resistance)

a. so that it was also rotating?
b. It makes no difference.
c. so that it wasn't rotating?

Answer 1

To solve this problem it is necessary to apply the kinematic equations of Energy for which the rotation of a circular body is described as

$KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2+\frac{1}{2}I\omega^2$

Where,

m = Mass of the Vall

v = Velocity

I = Moment of inertia abouts its centre of mass

$\omega =$ Angular speed

Basically the two sums of energies is the consideration of translational and rotational kinetic energy.

a. so that it was also rotating?

The ball is rotating means that it has some angular speed:

$KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2+\frac{1}{2}I\omega^2$

$1000J = \frac{1}{2}mv^2+\frac{1}{2}I\omega^2$

When there is a little angular energy (and not linear energy to travel faster), translational energy will be greater than the 1000J applied.

$1000J > \frac{1}{2}mv^2$

The ball will not go faster.

c. so that it wasn't rotating?

For the case where the angular velocity does not rotate it is zero therefore

$KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2+\frac{1}{2}I\omega^2$

$1000J = \frac{1}{2}mv^2+\frac{1}{2}I(0)^2$

$1000J = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$

All energy is transoformed into translational energy so it is possible to go faster. This option is CORRECT.

b. It makes no difference.

Although the order presented is different, I left this last option because as we can see with the previous two parts if there is an affectation regarding angular movement, therefore it is not correct.