Forces & Momentum (Edexcel AS Physics)

In the sport of curling, two teams of ‘curlers’ take turns sliding polished granite stones across an ice surface towards a circular target marked on the ice.

A stone of mass 19.6 kg is accelerated uniformly for 1.25 s before being released by a curler.

The stone then decelerates uniformly to rest, travelling 32.5 m in a time of 17.5 s.
 
Calculate the average useful power developed by the curler in accelerating the stone.

Average power = .......................................................

Stone B is stationary. Stone A travels towards the target and makes a direct hit on stone B as shown. Both stones have mass m.

The collision is elastic. Just before the collision stone A has a velocity . After the collision stone B moves off with velocity .

Discuss how the relevant conservation laws apply to this collision.

While a stone is moving towards the target, the curlers vigorously sweep the ice directly in front of the stone.

Explain why this may make the stone travel further.