Centrifuged right off the surface
A small sphere resting atop a large sphere begins to slide to the right.
The large sphere has a diameter of ten meters.
The small sphere has a diameter of one meter.
Initially the small sphere remains in contact with the large sphere.
Gathering speed, the small sphere breaks contact due to centrifugal force.
Find the angle θ at which the small sphere breaks contract with the large.
Assume no friction and no rotational kinetic energy in the small sphere.
First correct answer at [email protected] wins a Tucker’s gift card.
Last week’s winner was Roy Samuelson with A = 42 square units.
Jeff Smith is a former Math teacher and a retired US Navy Lieutenant Commander. Reach him at [email protected].