question_answer

  Make a pile of similar carom coins ona table. Then to remove the lower coin without touching the other coins with your fingers, you may give a sharp horizontal hit at the button of the pile using sticker. (a) What will happen if the hit is strong enough? (b) What will happen to the remaining coins once the lower coin is removed?

Answer:

  (a) In case the hit is strong enough, the bottom coin moves quickly so that any horizontal force between it and the above will not move the restof the pile in horizontal direction.                                                                   (1)                 (b) Once the lower coin is removed, the inertia of the remaining coins makes them fall vertically on the table.                                                                                                                                                                                                    (1)