Question

A 2,100 kg car is lifted by a pulley. If the cable breaks at 4.50 m, what is the velocity of the car when it hits the ground

Answer 1

The problem involves the conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy as the object falls from rest. Energy is conserved, so the equation used is:

PEi + KEi = PEf + KEf

Since the object is falling from rest, the initial kinetic energy is zero. Also, since the object hits the ground at its final position, the final potential energy is zero. This leaves:

PEi = KEf
mgh = 1/2 mv^2

*cancel out mass on both sides of the equation

gh = 0.5v^2
v = sqrt(2gh) = sqrt(2*9.81*4.5) = 9.40 m/s --> final ans.