Question

The roller-coaster car shown in fig. 6-41 (h1 = 30 m, h2 = 12 m, h3 = 20 m), is dragged up to point 1 where it is released from rest. assuming no friction, calculate the speed at points 2, 3, and 4.

Answer 1

Since there is no friction, conservation of energy gives change in energy is zero Change in energy = 0 Change in KE + Change in PE = 0 1/2 x m x (vf^2 - vi^2) + m x g x (hf-hi) = 0 1/2 x (vf^2 - vi^2) + g x (hf-hi) = 0 (vf^2 - vi^2) = 2 x g x (hi - hf) Since it starts from rest vi = 0 Vf = squareroot of (2 x g x (hi - hf)) For h1, no hf Vf = squareroot of (2 x g x (hi - hf)) Vf = squareroot of (2 x 9.81 x 30) Vf = squareroot of 588.6 Vf = 24.26 For h2 Vf = squareroot of (2 x 9.81 x (30 – 12)) Vf = squareroot of (9.81 x 36) Vf = squareroot of 353.16 Vf = 18.79 For h3 Vf = squareroot of (2 x 9.81 x (30 – 20)) Vf = squareroot of (20 x 9.81) Vf = 18.79