The system doesn't lose speed, but the cart alone does for the short period of time when the ball is moving independently, so the net time for the run will be greater. For another way of thinking about it: The center of gravity of the cart-ball system will cross the finish line at the same time no matter what. However, moving the ball forward moves the center of gravity of the system forward relative to the cart, causing the nose to cross the finish line later than it would have otherwise.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2007-02-22 05:05 pm (UTC)