How far does a block go up a frictionless ramp?

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SUMMARY

A block with an initial velocity of 3.00 m/s is projected up a frictionless incline of 22.0°. The correct calculation for the distance the block travels up the incline before momentarily stopping involves using the kinematic equation with the acceleration component along the incline. The initial velocity's vertical component is calculated as 1.12 m/s, but the distance along the incline requires considering gravitational acceleration's effect along the slope. The correct approach involves energy conservation or recalculating using the incline's angle to determine the correct distance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of kinematic equations, specifically v_f^2 = v_i^2 + 2ax
  • Knowledge of trigonometric functions, particularly sine and cosine
  • Familiarity with gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s²) and its components
  • Basic principles of energy conservation in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to resolve forces and accelerations on inclined planes
  • Study energy conservation principles in mechanics
  • Explore the application of kinematic equations in two dimensions
  • Practice problems involving frictionless surfaces and inclined angles
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Students studying physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding motion on inclined planes.

Talby
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A block is given an initial velocity of 3.00 m/s up a frictionless 22.0° incline. How far up the incline does the block slide before coming (momentarily) to rest? So basically, how far does it go up before the block starts falling.
http://img11.paintedover.com/uploads/11/p522.gif

At first glance, this seemed really simple to me. Here's what I tried:

The initial velocity in the Y direction would be 3sin(22) = 1.12 m/s

Then I used the formula
Vf2 = Vi2 + 2*(-9.8)*(delta Y)
-->0 = 1.26 - 19.6(delta Y)
so delta Y = .064 m.

But that is straight up, and I need it along the incline. So, I did

sin(22) = (.064)/x
and x gives me .17 as the distance up the incline.

However, neither .064m or .17m is correct. Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong? Am I totally off, or just missing a decimal or something?
 
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Use that same kinematic equation ([itex]v_f^2 = v_i^2 + 2ax[/itex]) but use the components along the incline. Hint: Figure out the component of the acceleration due to gravity along the incline.
 
surely you can do it by energy considerations - you know the KE at the start, and no GPE, then at the top there will be no KE momentarily, so you can work out h?
 

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