Answer:
Part A
1) At the starting point, we have;
PE = 40,000 J
2) PE = 0 J, KE = 40,000 J
3) KE = 20,000 J
4) PE = 15,000 J
5) KE = 32,500 J
6) KE = 40,000 J, PE = 0 J
7) KE = 35,000 J
8) KE = 40,000 J, PE = 0 J
Part B
The total Mechanical Energy = ME = 40,000 J
At the final point, we have;
ME = KE + PE = 40,000 J + 0 J = 40,000 J
Explanation:
Part A
By the law of conservation of energy, we have;
ME = PE + KE
Where;
ME = The total Mechanical Energy of the system
PE = The Potential Energy of the system
KE = The Kinetic Energy of the system
Where there is no friction, we have;
At the final stage, KE = 40,000 J. PE = 0 J
Therefore, ME = PE + KE = 40,000 J + 0 J = 40,000 J
1) At the starting point, we have;
KE = 0 J, therefore, PE = ME - KE = 40,000 J - 0 J = 40,000 J
2) At the bottom of the roller coaster, at the same level the PE is taken as PE = 0 J at the final stage, we have;
PE = 0 J, therefore, KE = ME - PE = 40,000 J - 0 J = 40,000 J
3) Where PE = 20,000 J, KE = ME - PE = 40,000 J - 20,000 J = 20,000 J
4) Where KE = 25,000 J, PE = ME - KE = 40,000 J - 25,000 J = 15,000 J
5) Where PE = 7,500 J, KE = ME - PE = 40,000 J - 7,500 J = 32,500 J
6) At the bottom KE = 40,000 J, PE = 0 J
7) Where PE = 5,000 J, KE = ME - PE = 40,000 J - 5,000 J = 35,000 J
8) KE = 40,000 J, PE = 0 J
Part B
The given that there is no friction nor air resistance, the total Mechanical Energy, ME, is constant and equal to the sum of the Potential Energy, PE and the Kinetic Energy, KE, as follows;
ME = KE + PE
At the final point, we have;
ME = 40,000 J + 0 J = 40,000 J
The total Mechanical Energy = ME = 40,000 J
