Question

A 120-kg roller coaster cart is being tested on a new track, and a crash-test dummy is loaded into it. The roller coaster starts from rest at point A which is 25 m above point B. In your own words, what physics ideas would you be able to use to predict how fast the cart is moving at point B? What calculations would you use, what things would you be measuring, and what physics principles or laws would you use to make this calculation

Answer 1

Answer:

vb = 22.13 m/s

So, the only thing that was measured here was the height of point A relative to point B. And the Law of Conservation of Energy was used.

Explanation:

In order to find the speed of roller coaster at Point B, we will use the law of conservation of Energy. In this situation, the law of conservation of energy states that:

K.E at A + P.E at A = K.E at B + P.E at B

(1/2)mvₐ² + mghₐ = (1/2)m(vb)² + mg(hb)

(1/2)vₙ² + ghₐ = (1/2)(vb)² + g(hb)

where,

vₙ = velocity of roller coaster at point a = 0 m/s

hₙ = height of roller coaster at point a = 25 m

g = 9.8 m/s²

vb = velocity of roller coaster at point B = ?

hb = Height of Point B = 0 m (since, point is the reference point)

Therefore,

(1/2)(0 m/s)² + (9.8 m/s²)(25 m) = (1/2)(vb)² + (9.8 m/s²)(0 m)

245 m²/s² * 2 = vb²

vb = √(490 m²/s²)

vb = 22.13 m/s

So, the only thing that was measured here was the height of point A relative to point B. And the Law of Conservation of Energy was used.