The initial potential energy of the wagon containing gold boxes will enable
it roll down the hill when cut loose.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto have approximately <u>5.1 seconds</u>.
Reasons:
Mass wagon and gold = 166 kg
Location of the wagon = 77 meters up the hill
Slope of the hill = 8°
Location of the rangers = 41 meters from the canyon
Mass of Lone Ranger, m₁ = 65 kg
Mass of Tonto m₂ = 66 kg
Solution;
Height of the wagon above the level ground, h = 77 m × sin(8°) ≈ 10.72 m
Potential energy = m·g·h
Where;
g = Acceleration due to gravity ≈ 9.81 m/s²
Potential energy of wagon, P.E. ≈ 166 × 9.81 × 10.72 = 17457.0912
Potential energy of wagon, P.E. ≈ 17457.0912 J
By energy conservation, P.E. = K.E.
Where;
v = The velocity of the wagon a the bottom of the cliff
Therefore;
Velocity of the wagon, v ≈ 14.5 m/s
Momentum = Mass, m × Velocity, v
Initial momentum of wagon = m·v
Final momentum of wagon and ranger = (m + m₁ + m₂)·v'
By conservation of momentum, we have;
m·v = (m + m₁ + m₂)·v'
Which gives;
The velocity of the wagon after the Ranger and Tonto drop in, v' ≈ 8.1 m/s
The Lone Range and Tonto have approximately <u>5.1 seconds</u> to grab the
gold and jump out of the wagon before the wagon heads over the cliff.
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