Question

12. A roller coaster is sitting at the top of a 80 m hill and has 94646J. What is its mass?

Calculate it and show your work.

Answer 1

Mass, m = 120.72 kg.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given the following data;

P.E = 94646J

Height, h = 80m

We know that acceleration due to gravity is 9.8m/s²

Since the roller coaster is sitting at the top of a hill, it simply means it possesses energy due to its position.

Potential energy can be defined as an energy possessed by an object or body due to its position.

Mathematically, potential energy is given by the formula;

`P.E = mgh`

Where, P.E represents potential energy measured in Joules.

• m represents the mass of an object.

• g represents acceleration due to gravity measured in meters per seconds square.

• h represents the height measured in meters.

To find its mass?

Substituting the values into the equation, we have;

`94646 = m*9.8*80`

`94646 = m*784`

`m = \frac {94646}{784}`

Mass, m = 120.72 kg.

Therefore, the mass of the roller coaster is 120.72 kilograms.