A roller coaster is moving at 10 m/s at the top of the first hill (h= 40 m). Ignoring friction and air resistance, how fast will the roller coaster be moving at the top of a subsequent hill, which is 20 m?

College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
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**Problem Statement:**

A roller coaster is moving at 10 m/s at the top of the first hill (h = 40 m). Ignoring friction and air resistance, how fast will the roller coaster be moving at the top of a subsequent hill, which is 20 m?

**Scenario Explanation:**

- The roller coaster begins with an initial speed of 10 m/s at the top of a hill with a height of 40 meters.
- The task is to determine the speed of the roller coaster when it reaches the top of another hill with a height of 20 meters, assuming there is no friction or air resistance acting on it.

**Concepts Involved:**

- **Conservation of Energy:** Since there is no friction or air resistance, mechanical energy (sum of potential and kinetic energy) is conserved.
- **Potential Energy (PE):** \( PE = mgh \), where \( m \) is mass, \( g \) is acceleration due to gravity (approx. 9.81 m/s²), and \( h \) is height.
- **Kinetic Energy (KE):** \( KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \), where \( v \) is velocity.
- At the top of the first hill, calculate the total mechanical energy.
- At the top of the second hill, equate the mechanical energy to find the new velocity.
Transcribed Image Text:**Problem Statement:** A roller coaster is moving at 10 m/s at the top of the first hill (h = 40 m). Ignoring friction and air resistance, how fast will the roller coaster be moving at the top of a subsequent hill, which is 20 m? **Scenario Explanation:** - The roller coaster begins with an initial speed of 10 m/s at the top of a hill with a height of 40 meters. - The task is to determine the speed of the roller coaster when it reaches the top of another hill with a height of 20 meters, assuming there is no friction or air resistance acting on it. **Concepts Involved:** - **Conservation of Energy:** Since there is no friction or air resistance, mechanical energy (sum of potential and kinetic energy) is conserved. - **Potential Energy (PE):** \( PE = mgh \), where \( m \) is mass, \( g \) is acceleration due to gravity (approx. 9.81 m/s²), and \( h \) is height. - **Kinetic Energy (KE):** \( KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \), where \( v \) is velocity. - At the top of the first hill, calculate the total mechanical energy. - At the top of the second hill, equate the mechanical energy to find the new velocity.
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