The skateboarder in the drawing starts down the left side of the ramp with an initial speed of 5.4 m/s. Neglect nonconservative forces, such as friction and air resistance, and find the height h of the highest point reached by the skateboarder on the right side of the ramp.
The skateboarder in the drawing starts down the left side of the ramp with an initial speed of 5.4 m/s. Neglect nonconservative forces, such as friction and air resistance, and find the height h of the highest point reached by the skateboarder on the right side of the ramp.
The skateboarder in the drawing starts down the left side of the ramp with an initial speed of 5.4 m/s. Neglect nonconservative forces, such as friction and air resistance, and find the height h of the highest point reached by the skateboarder on the right side of the ramp.
The skateboarder in the drawing starts down the left side of the ramp with an initial speed of 5.4 m/s. Neglect nonconservative forces, such as friction and air resistance, and find the height h of the highest point reached by the skateboarder on the right side of the ramp. m
Transcribed Image Text:**Physics of Skateboarding: Understanding Potential Energy in a Half-Pipe**
In the image above, a skateboarder is performing a trick on a half-pipe. This scenario provides an excellent opportunity to discuss the concept of potential energy in physics.
### Explanation of the Diagram
The diagram shows a skateboarder moving on a half-pipe. A half-pipe is a U-shaped structure commonly used in extreme sports such as skateboarding and snowboarding. It consists of two concave ramps facing each other.
- **Position and Motion**: The skateboarder is illustrated at two different positions on the half-pipe:
1. Near the top of the left side of the half-pipe.
2. Near the top of the right side of the half-pipe.
The skateboarder’s positions near the top of the half-pipe are shown with slight transparency to indicate motion and position changes over time.
- **Height (h) Representation**: The diagram includes a label 'h' which represents the height the skateboarder has reached on the right side of the half-pipe. It measures the vertical distance from the bottom of the half-pipe to the skateboarder's position at the top of the ramp.
### Physics Concepts
#### Potential Energy
At the top of the half-pipe (positions illustrated), the skateboarder has maximum gravitational potential energy, calculated using the equation:
\[ PE = mgh \]
where:
- \(PE\) is the potential energy,
- \(m\) is the mass of the skateboarder,
- \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately \(9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2\)),
- \(h\) is the height from the bottom of the half-pipe to the skateboarder’s position.
When the skateboarder descends from the top to the bottom of the half-pipe, the potential energy converts into kinetic energy, allowing the skateboarder to gain speed. As the skateboarder moves back up to the other side, the kinetic energy reconverts into potential energy, allowing the skateboarder to rise to a similar height on the opposite side.
### Conclusion
This simple half-pipe setup illustrates the conservation of energy principle where energy is neither created nor destroyed but simply transforms from one form to another—in this case, from potential to kinetic and back to potential energy. Understanding these principles not only enhances our comprehension of physics but also gives us insights into the mechanics of skateboarding
Definition Definition Force that opposes motion when the surface of one item rubs against the surface of another. The unit of force of friction is same as the unit of force.
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![**Physics of Skateboarding: Understanding Potential Energy in a Half-Pipe**
In the image above, a skateboarder is performing a trick on a half-pipe. This scenario provides an excellent opportunity to discuss the concept of potential energy in physics.
### Explanation of the Diagram
The diagram shows a skateboarder moving on a half-pipe. A half-pipe is a U-shaped structure commonly used in extreme sports such as skateboarding and snowboarding. It consists of two concave ramps facing each other.
- **Position and Motion**: The skateboarder is illustrated at two different positions on the half-pipe:
1. Near the top of the left side of the half-pipe.
2. Near the top of the right side of the half-pipe.
The skateboarder’s positions near the top of the half-pipe are shown with slight transparency to indicate motion and position changes over time.
- **Height (h) Representation**: The diagram includes a label 'h' which represents the height the skateboarder has reached on the right side of the half-pipe. It measures the vertical distance from the bottom of the half-pipe to the skateboarder's position at the top of the ramp.
### Physics Concepts
#### Potential Energy
At the top of the half-pipe (positions illustrated), the skateboarder has maximum gravitational potential energy, calculated using the equation:
\[ PE = mgh \]
where:
- \(PE\) is the potential energy,
- \(m\) is the mass of the skateboarder,
- \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately \(9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2\)),
- \(h\) is the height from the bottom of the half-pipe to the skateboarder’s position.
When the skateboarder descends from the top to the bottom of the half-pipe, the potential energy converts into kinetic energy, allowing the skateboarder to gain speed. As the skateboarder moves back up to the other side, the kinetic energy reconverts into potential energy, allowing the skateboarder to rise to a similar height on the opposite side.
### Conclusion
This simple half-pipe setup illustrates the conservation of energy principle where energy is neither created nor destroyed but simply transforms from one form to another—in this case, from potential to kinetic and back to potential energy. Understanding these principles not only enhances our comprehension of physics but also gives us insights into the mechanics of skateboarding](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Fd59bab31-d222-4755-b826-1fe6f0dd9f57%2Fe4cefb10-9b23-4d69-9e06-2bbf0249dd7b%2F5p1y6g4_processed.gif&w=3840&q=75)
