Question

If a snowboarder’s initial speed is 4 m/s and comes to rest when making it to the upper level. With a slightly greater initial speed of 5 m/s, the snowboarder is moving to the right on the upper level. His final speed in this case is 3 m/s. Suppose this situation is repeated on planet Epsilon, where gravity is less than gravity on earth.
A. Would the height of the hill on Epsilon cause a reduction in speed from 4 m/s to 0 greater than, less than, or equal to the height of the corresponding hill on earth? Explain.

B. Consider the hill on Epsilon discussed in part A. If the initial speed at the bottom of the hill is 5 m/s, will the final speed at the top of the hill be greater than, less than, or equal to 3 m/s? Explain.

Answer 1

(a) At a corresponding hill on Earth and a lesser gravity on planet Epslion, the height of the hill will cause a reduction in the initial speed of the snowboarder from 4 m/s to a value greater than zero (0).

(b) If the initial speed at the bottom of the hill is 5 m/s, the final speed at the top of the hill be greater than 3 m/s.

Conservation of mechanical energy

The effect of height  and gravity on speed on the given planet Epislon is determined by applying the principle of conservation of mechanical energy as shown below;

ΔK.E = ΔP.E

¹/₂m(v²- u²) = mg(hi - hf)

¹/₂(v²- u²) = g(0 - hf)

v² - u² = -2ghf

v² = u² - 2ghf

where;

• v is the final velocity at upper level
• u is the initial velocity
• hf is final height
• g is acceleration due to gravity

when u² = 2gh, then v² = 0,

when gravity reduces, u² > 2gh, and v² > 0

Thus, at a corresponding hill on Earth and a lesser gravity on planet Epslion, the height of the hill will cause a reduction in the initial speed of the snowboarder from 4 m/s to a value greater than zero (0).

Final speed

v² = u² - 2ghf

where;

• u is the initial speed = 5 m/s
• g is acceleration due to gravity and its less than 9.8 m/s²
• v is final speed
• hf is equal height

Since g on Epislon is less than 9.8 m/s² of Earth;

5² - 2ghf > 3 m/s

Thus, if the initial speed at the bottom of the hill is 5 m/s, the final speed at the top of the hill be greater than 3 m/s.

Learn more about conservation of mechanical energy here: brainly.com/question/6852965