Question

A woman skis from rest down a hill 20 m high. If friction is negligible, what is her speed at the bottom of the slope? Select one: O a. 20 m/s O b. 12 m/s O c. 400 m/s O d. 6 m/s​

Answer 1

Hi there!

We can use the work-energy theorem to solve.

Recall:

$\large\boxed{E_i = E_f}}$

Initial energy = final energy

The initial energy is purely potential (she starts from rest), and, if we assign the bottom of the slope as the 0 line, her energy at the bottom is purely kinetic.

PE = mgh

KE = 1/2mv²

We can begin by setting the two equal:

mgh = 1/2mv²

Cancel out the mass and rearrange to solve for velocity:

2gh = v²

v = √2gh

Plug in given values and use g ≈ 10 m/s²:

v = √2(10)(20) = 20 m/s