1. A roller coaster is set up as shown above. The coaster is released from rest
ID: 1356948 • Letter: 1
Question
1. A roller coaster is set up as shown above. The coaster is released from rest at the location of the coaster on the track in the photograph. There is no friction or air resistance. The white horizontal lines that are superimposed on the photograph are evenly spaced
If we define the gravitational potential energy to be zero at the release point A, what is the total energy (potential plus kinetic) of the cart when it reaches point C? Explain.
If the speed of the cart is 12 cm/s at point B, what is the speed at point D? Explain how you determined your answer.
Explanation / Answer
The total energy of the car is zero while reaching the poit C. This can be expalined with the loaw of conservation of energy, which states that the total energy of the object rmainsconstnat through out its motion. Since total energy of the car at A is zero, its total energy at C is zero.
From the figure, Both B and D are on the same white line, that means their vertical displacement from point A is same and hence posses same speed and is 12 cm/s
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