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PHYSICS QUESTION PLS HELP

PHYSICS QUESTION PLS HELP-example-1
User Lordzuko
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1 Answer

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The coaster starts at rest, so the kinetic energy (KE) at point A is 0. It is situated 33 m above ground, so its potential energy (PE) at A is

mgh = (3000 kg) (9.80 m/s²) (33 m) = 970,200 J

The total energy is the same, 970,200 J.

Assuming no energy is lost to friction or sound etc, energy is conserved throughout the coaster's motion, so the total energy should be the same at each point.

At point B, the coaster has dropped to a height of 10 m, so it has PE

mgh = (3000 kg) (9.80 m/s²) (10 m) = 294,000 J

which means it must have KE

970,200 J = KE + 294,000 J → KE = 676,200 J

which gives the coast a speed v at point B of

1/2 mv ² = 1/2 (3000 kg) v ² = 676,200 J → v21.2 m/s

At point C, the coaster has a speed of 16.0 m/s, so it has KE

1/2 mv ² = 1/2 (3000 kg) (16.0 m/s)² = 384,000 J

and hence PE

970,200 J = 384,000 J + PE → PE = 586,200 J

This lets us determine the height h at C:

mgh = (3000 kg) (9.80 m/s²) h = 586,200 J → h ≈ 19.939 m

which means the loop has diameter h - 10 m ≈ 9.94 m.

At point D, the coaster is 15 m above the ground so its PE at D is

mgh = (3000 kg) (9.80 m/s²) (15 m) = 441,000 J

and so its KE is

970,200 J = KE + 441,000 J → KE = 529,200 J

and hence has speed v at D

1/2 mv ² = 1/2 (3000 kg) v ² = 529,200 J → v18.9 m/s

User Jaanu
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