Two bodies are falling, with no initial speed, from a height h. The first is falling free, while the seconds follows an inclined plane with no friction. What can be said about the two bodies?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Choices are:
The two bodies arrive simultaneously and with the same speed   
The two bodies arrive simultaneously; the first body has higher arrival speed   
The first body arrives earlier; both bodies will have the same speed on arrival   
The first body arrives earlier with higher speed   
The time depends from the mass of the two bodies

anonymous · Answer

Any one, please help

john_es · Answer

The two bodies arrive simultaneously and with the same speed. You can justify it by the conservation law of Energy. The potential energy in upper part of the plane is the same for both situations, so the kinetic energy at the end of the path, is the same. From this you see that the speed must be the same.

anonymous · Answer

Right I agree the speed will be the same but would'nt the first one arrive first because it has a greater acceleration (g) while the one on the frictionless incline has  a smaller acceleration? I am not sure but am skeptical they would both arrive at the same time. I might be wrong.