Comparative kinetics of the snowball respect to other dynamical objects

We examine the kinetics of a snowball that is gaining mass while is rolling downhill. This dynamical system combines rotational effects with effects involving the variation of mass. In order to understand the consequences of both effects we compare its behavior with the one of some objects in which such effects are absent. Environmental conditions are also included. We conclude that the comparative velocity of the snowball is very sensitive to the hill profile and the retardation factors. We emphasize that the increase of mass (inertia), could surprisingly diminish the retardation effect due to the drag force. Additionally, when an exponential trajectory is assumed, the maximum velocity of the snowball can be reached at an intermediate step of the trip.

Rodolfo A. Diaz, Diego L. Gonzalez, Francisco Marin, R. Martinez · 2003