Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 1 - Concepts of Motion - Exercises and Problems - Page 29: 4

Answer

a) In the particle model we can treat the object as a dimensionless point in order to make it easy to study the forces exerted on it. In this model, the size and the shape are unimportant and ignored. The mass of the object, in this model, is the only thing that is conceded which is assumed to be concentrated in this dimensionless point. The benefits of this model are important. As an example, it allows us to focus on the motion of the object regardless of its shape or size and even if it rotates or not. Recall, the projectile motion of any object like a baseball and etc... b) It can allow us to study and understand the motion of a bullet or a rocket. Also, the motion of a hockey puck. c) But it can't make us understand how the football takes curves during flying toward the goal since we did not study its rotational motion during its translational motion. It is also not useful in studying the center of mass of objects and etc...

Work Step by Step

a) In the particle model we can treat the object as a dimensionless point in order to make it easy to study the forces exerted on it. In this model, the size and the shape are unimportant and ignored. The mass of the object, in this model, is the only thing that is conceded which is assumed to be concentrated in this dimensionless point. The benefits of this model are important. As an example, it allows us to focus on the motion of the object regardless of its shape or size and even if it rotates or not. Recall, the projectile motion of any object like a baseball and etc... b) It can allow us to study and understand the motion of a bullet or a rocket. Also, the motion of a hockey puck. c) But it can't make us understand how the football takes curves during flying toward the goal since we did not study its rotational motion during its translational motion. It is also not useful in studying the center of mass of objects and etc...
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