Question

A sled going down a hill covered in snow eventually comes to a stop. Explain why this happens in terms of energy. Use the terms potential energy, kinetic energy, and friction.

help me please.

Answer 1

Initially the body possess potential energy and then kinetic energy as the body slides down the hill. The sled comes to a halt due to the force of friction that exists between the tyre of the sled and the snow.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before the sled start coming down the hill, it was initially at a state of rest (not moving). At that point of rest, the velocity of the body is zero and the body possess potential energy because potential energy is the energy possessed by a body by virtue of its position. As the body slides down the hill, it gains energy to move(its velocity increases) and invariably possessing kinetic energy which is the energy possessed by a body by virtue of its motion.

The sled then eventually comes to a stop due to the force of friction that exist been the tyre of the sled and the snow(which are both rough surfaces) because friction tends to occur between two "rough" surfaces in contact thereby bringing the body to a halt(rest).

Answer 2

Before the sled start to move, the sled has potential energy due to its elevation. As it starts to move, potential energy is being converted to kinetic energy. The sled will continue to move down if there is no other force acting or resisting the motion. However, friction force is present that causes the sled to stop.