(a) A child slides down a water slide at an amusement park from an initial height h . The slide can be considered frictionless because of the water flowing down it. Can the equation for conservation of mechanical energy be used on the child? (b) Is the mass of the child a factor in determining his speed at the bottom of the slide? (c) The child drops straight down rather than following the curved ramp of the slide. In which case will he be traveling faster at ground level? (d) If friction is present, how would the conservation-of-energy equation be modified? (e) Find the maximum speed of the child when the slide is frictionless if the initial height of the slide is 12.0 m.
(a) A child slides down a water slide at an amusement park from an initial height h . The slide can be considered frictionless because of the water flowing down it. Can the equation for conservation of mechanical energy be used on the child? (b) Is the mass of the child a factor in determining his speed at the bottom of the slide? (c) The child drops straight down rather than following the curved ramp of the slide. In which case will he be traveling faster at ground level? (d) If friction is present, how would the conservation-of-energy equation be modified? (e) Find the maximum speed of the child when the slide is frictionless if the initial height of the slide is 12.0 m.
Solution Summary: The author explains that the equation for conservation of mechanical energy is applicable for the child in the water slide.
(a) A child slides down a water slide at an amusement park from an initial height h. The slide can be considered frictionless because of the water flowing down it. Can the equation for conservation of mechanical energy be used on the child? (b) Is the mass of the child a factor in determining his speed at the bottom of the slide? (c) The child drops straight down rather than following the curved ramp of the slide. In which case will he be traveling faster at ground level? (d) If friction is present, how would the conservation-of-energy equation be modified? (e) Find the maximum speed of the child when the slide is frictionless if the initial height of the slide is 12.0 m.
Lab-Based Section
Use the following information to answer the lab based scenario.
A student performed an experiment in an attempt to determine the index of refraction of glass.
The student used a laser and a protractor to measure a variety of angles of incidence and
refraction through a semi-circular glass prism. The design of the experiment and the student's
results are shown below.
Angle of
Incidence (°)
Angle of
Refraction (º)
20
11
30
19
40
26
50
31
60
36
70
38
2a) By hand (i.e., without using computer software), create a linear graph on graph paper
using the student's data. Note: You will have to manipulate the data in order to achieve a
linear function.
2b) Graphically determine the index of refraction of the semi-circular glass prism, rounding your
answer to the nearest hundredth.
Use the following information to answer the next two questions.
A laser is directed at a prism made of zircon (n = 1.92) at an incident angle of 35.0°, as shown in
the diagram.
3a) Determine the critical angle of zircon.
35.0°
70°
55
55°
3b) Determine the angle of refraction when the laser beam leaves the prism.
Use the following information to answer the next two questions.
A laser is directed at a prism made of zircon (n = 1.92) at an incident angle of 35.0°, as shown in
the diagram.
3a) Determine the critical angle of zircon.
35.0°
70°
55
55°
3b) Determine the angle of refraction when the laser beam leaves the prism.
Chapter 5 Solutions
Student Solutions Manual With Study Guide, Volume 2 For Serway/vuilles College Physics, 10th
General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry - 4th edition
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