Question #118

Shown in the center photograph below is a picture of a really nice flower supported by a string passing over two pegs. At the left and the right of the picture are close-up views of the string as it winds its way over the pegs.

Now Gwen will do an experiment on the picture by slipping the support string over the end of one of the pegs at a time. While she does so she will hold her finger over the end of the other peg so that the string cannot slip over the end of that peg at the same time. The question involves what will happen.

When Gwen holds the left peg and slips the string over the end of the right peg,

• (a) the picture will remain suspended on the left peg.
• (b) the picture will remain suspended on the right peg.
• (c) the picture will fall freely into the box below.

When Gwen holds the right peg and slips the string over the end of the left peg,

• (a) the picture will remain suspended on the right peg.
• (b) the picture will remain suspended on the left peg.
• (c) the picture will fall freely into the box below.

Click here for Answer #118 after May 27, 2002.

Question of the Week

Outreach Index Page

Lecture-Demonstration Home Page

For questions and comments regarding the Question of the Week contact Dr. Richard E. Berg by e-mail or using phone number or regular mail address given on the Lecture-Demonstration Home Page.