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A 30-kg child sits at the top of a 3-meter slide. After sliding down, the child is traveling 4 m/s. How much PE does he start with? How much KE does he end with? How much energy is lost to friction?

User JBlake
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1 Answer

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At the top:

Potential Energy = (mass) x (gravity) x (height)

= (30 kg) x (9.8 m/s²) x (3 meters)

= 882 joules

At the bottom:

Kinetic Energy = (1/2) x (mass) x (speed)²

= (1/2) x (30 kg) x (3 m/s)²

= (15 kg) x (9 m²/s²)

= 135 joules .

He had 882 joules of potential energy at the top,
but only 135 joules of kinetic energy at the bottom.

Friction stole (882 - 135) = 747 joules of his energy while he slid down.
The seat of his jeans must be pretty warm.
User Sergiy Migdalskiy
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