Question

At point A, a 24 kg child is at rest on top of a 5.0 m slide. At point B the child is on the ground with a speed of 2.8 m/s. Draw an energy diagram for the system of child + slide + earth. You can ignore air resistance, but there is friction between the child and the slide.Assume the child does not push themselves or put any effort into moving down the slide.

Answer 1

The energy diagram for the system of child + slide + earth is in the image attached.

How to draw the energy diagram of the child?

The energy diagram for the system of child + slide + earth, will consist of kinetic energy of the child and gravitational potential energy of the child.

The gravitational potential energy of the child at top slide is calculated as;

P.E = mgh

P.E = 24 kg x 9.8 m/s² x 5 m

P.E = 1,176 J

The kinetic energy of the child at the top slide;

K.E = ¹/₂ x 24 kg x (0 m/s)²

K.E = 0 J

The gravitational potential energy of the child at bottom slide is calculated as;

P.E = 24 kg x 9.8 m/s² x 0 m

P.E = 0 J

The kinetic energy of the child at bottom slide at point B is calculated as;

K.E = ¹/₂ x 24 kg x (2.8 m/s)²

K.E = 94.08 J