Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Can we roll down a ball on a road/ track having ups and downs? Ball must reach the end of the track? Is it possible? If not shall we have to change the track design? (road or track is special or specifically designed with ups and downs so that ball get acceleration, speed as well as gravity pull) start of the track is/should be at maximum height as ball will gets it's initial kick start.

Hi kaustubhpk,

Yes, you can roll a ball down a track that has ups and down on it. As you say, the starting point should be the highest point of the track because that elevation will determine the ball's initial gravitational potential energy. All of the subsequent hills will need to be lower than that initial starting point, unless you have a way to give the ball some additional energy along the way.