Question #317

A meter stick and a half-meter stick are held at an angle of about 45^o as seen in the photograph below.

They are then released simultaneously and allowed to topple to the table top. The material on which the lower ends of the sticks rest is frictional, so it will not allow the bottom ends of the sticks to slide. The question this week is which of the two sticks will reach a horizontal orientation on the table top first, or will it be a tie?

What will happen when the sticks are simultaneously released from rest?

• (a) The shorter stick will reach the table first.
• (b) The longer stick will reach the table first.
• (c) The two sticks will reach the table at the same time.
• (d) Something else will happen.

Click here for Answer #317 after May 12, 2008.

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