Question:

Spherical insulating ball and a spherical metallic ball of same size and mass are dropped from the same height Choose the correct statement out of the following (Assume negligible air friction)

Show Hint

The metal ball experiences a force due to induced currents when passing through the magnetic field, which makes it slower compared to the insulating ball.
Updated On: Mar 20, 2025
  • Both will reach the earth's surface simultaneously.
  • Insulating ball will reach the earth's surface earlier than the metal ball
  • Metal ball will reach the earth's surface earlier than the insulating ball
  • Time taken by them to reach the earth's surface will be independent of the properties of their materials
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

When the insulating ball is dropped, it can become charged due to various mechanisms like triboelectric charging. This charge can cause ionization of the surrounding air molecules, leading to a buildup of charge around the ball. This can create an electrostatic repulsion between the charged insulating ball and the oppositely charged air molecules, effectively reducing the effective weight of the ball and causing it to experience slightly less downward force compared to the metallic ball.

As a result of this reduced effective weight, the insulating ball may experience a slightly smaller acceleration than the metallic ball. This would lead to the insulating ball taking a slightly longer time to reach the ground compared to the metallic ball.

So, the correct answer is (B) Insulating ball will reach the earth's surface earlier than the metal ball.

Was this answer helpful?
0
17

Questions Asked in JEE Main exam

View More Questions

Concepts Used:

Motion in a straight line

The motion in a straight line is an object changes its position with respect to its surroundings with time, then it is called in motion. It is a change in the position of an object over time. It is nothing but linear motion. 

Types of Linear Motion:

Linear motion is also known as the Rectilinear Motion which are of two types:

  1. Uniform linear motion with constant velocity or zero acceleration: If a body travels in a straight line by covering an equal amount of distance in an equal interval of time then it is said to have uniform motion.
  2. Non-Uniform linear motion with variable velocity or non-zero acceleration: Not like the uniform acceleration, the body is said to have a non-uniform motion when the velocity of a body changes by unequal amounts in equal intervals of time. The rate of change of its velocity changes at different points of time during its movement.