Question

6. Two astronauts of equal mass step from the top of a rocket on Venus. One slides down a 10- degree ramp while the other slides down a 75-degree ramp. If all friction is ignored, which astronaut reaches the surface of Venus with the lower kinetic energy

Answer 1

Final kinetic energies of both astronauts will be the same.

Step-by-step explanation:

If we ignore all the friction present between the ramp and the person. Then essentially there is no loss of energy in the system. Hence the initial potential energies of the astronauts must be equal to their final kinetic energies.

Now the potential energy depends upon mass, height and acceleration due to gravity. All these parameters for both the astronauts. Therefore,both astronauts have same initial potential energies.

Similarly, the final kinetic energies of astronauts will also be the same.