Question: A solid sphere of mass m and radius r rolls without slipping down an inclined plane of angle θ. What is the acceleration of the center of mass of the sphere?
Options:
Correct Answer: g sin(θ)
Solution:
The acceleration of the center of mass of a rolling object is given by a = g sin(θ) / (1 + k^2/r^2). For a solid sphere, k^2/r^2 = 2/5, thus a = g sin(θ) / (1 + 2/5) = g sin(θ) / (7/5) = (5/7)g sin(θ).