Question 19M.2.SL.TZ2.1c
| Date | May 2019 | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 3] | Reference code | 19M.2.SL.TZ2.1c |
| Level | SL | Paper | 2 | Time zone | TZ2 |
| Command term | Predict | Question number | c | Adapted from | N/A |
A student models the bounce of the tennis ball to predict the angle θ at which the ball leaves a surface of clay and a surface of grass.
The model assumes
• during contact with the surface the ball slides.
• the sliding time is the same for both surfaces.
• the sliding frictional force is greater for clay than grass.
• the normal reaction force is the same for both surfaces.
Predict for the student’s model, without calculation, whether θ is greater for a clay surface or for a grass surface.
[3]
so horizontal velocity component at lift off for clay is smaller ✔
normal force is the same so vertical component of velocity is the same ✔
so bounce angle on clay is greater ✔
As the command term in this question is ‘predict’ a bald answer of clay was acceptable for one mark. This was a testing question that candidates found demanding but there were some very well-reasoned answers. The most common incorrect answer involved suggesting that the greater frictional force on the clay court left the ball with less kinetic energy and so a smaller angle. At SL many gained the answer that the angle on clay would be greater with the argument that frictional force is greater and so the distance the ball slides is less.
