Question

A roller coaster car with a mass of 17,690 kg is moving at a speed of 5 m/s over a hill that is 87.4 m above the

ground. What is the total mechanical energy of the car-Earth system?

Answer 1

`E=1.53* 10^7\ J`

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that,

The mass of the car, m = 17,690 kg

The speed of the car over the hill, v = 5 m/s

The car is 87.4 m above the ground.

We need to find the total mechanical energy of the car-Earth system. Mechanical energy is equal to the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy. So,

`E=mgh+(1)/(2)mv^2\\\\E=17690* 9.8* 87.4+(1)/(2)* 17690 * (5)^2\\\\E=1.53* 10^7\ J`

So, the total mechanical energy of the car-Earth system is
`1.53* 10^7\ J`.