A student pushes a heavy wooden crate across a horizontal
PHYSICS · Subjective · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems · Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
Problem
A student pushes a heavy wooden crate across a horizontal, frictionless floor. In Trial 1 the force is applied at the crate’s center of mass, and in Trial 2 the same magnitude force is applied at the top edge, causing the crate to rotate while it slides. In one or two sentences, explain why the translational kinetic energy after identical horizontal displacements is smaller in Trial 2 than in Trial 1.