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The distance from the ground to point A on a rollercoaster is 95meters high. The combined total mass for the car and people in it is 350kg.

How much potential energy (PE) does the roller coaster car have at point A?

A. 32585 J
B. 931 J
C. 325850 J
D. 3430 J

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

The potential energy of the roller coaster car at point A, with a mass of 350 kg and at a height of 95 meters, is calculated using the formula PE = mgh. This results in a potential energy of about 323,300 Joules, which is not listed in the provided options.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the potential energy (PE) of the roller coaster car at point A, we use the formula for gravitational potential energy, which is PE = mgh, where m is the mass in kilograms, g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s2 on Earth), and h is the height in meters above the reference point. Given that the distance from the ground to point A is 95 meters and the combined mass of the car and people in it is 350 kg, we can calculate the potential energy as follows:

PE = mgh = 350 kg × 9.8 m/s2 × 95 m = 323,300 Joules or 323.3 kJ

Therefore, the correct option that matches our calculation is not listed among the options A through D. The exact value should be approximately 323,300 Joules.

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