Question

A 50 kg bobsled slides down an ice track

starting (at zero initial speed) from the top of
a(n) 173 m high hill.
The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s^2.
Neglect friction and air resistance and determine the bobsled’s speed at the bottom of
the hill.
Answer in units of m/s.

Answer 1

Hi there!

We can use the following kinematic equation:

`v_f^2 = v_i^2 + 2ad`

The initial velocity is 0 m/s, so:

`v_f^2 = 2ad`

vf = final velocity (? m/s)
a = acceleration due to gravity (g)
d = vertical height (m)

Plug in the givens and solve:

`v_f = √(2gd) = √(2(9.8)(173)) = \boxed{58.23 (m)/(s)}`