Question

If a small disk is released from a ramp with height h1​=1.00 m, what is its final velocity when it reaches h2​=0.50 m assuming no energy losses? a) 1.4 m/s b) 2.0 m/s c) 3.0 m/s d) 4.0 m/s

Answer 1

Using the conservation of mechanical energy, the final velocity of the disk when it reaches a height of 0.50 m is closest to 3.0 m/s, considering no energy losses.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question relates to the conservation of energy principle in Physics, specifically when calculating the final velocity of a disk sliding down a ramp without any energy losses. As the disk descends from height h1 = 1.00 m to h2 = 0.50 m, we can use the conservation of mechanical energy to find its velocity at the lower height.

The initial potential energy at height h1 is equal to the sum of the potential energy and kinetic energy at height h2. Mathematically, this is represented as mgh1 = mgh2 + 0.5 * mv2^2, where m is the mass of the disk (which cancels out), g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s2), and v2 is the final velocity. After simplifying and solving for v2, we find that the final velocity of the disk when it reaches 0.50 m is 3.13 m/s, which is closest to option c) 3.0 m/s.