Calculate Mechanical Energy & Heights of a Falling Stone - Physics Homework Help

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a stone thrown from a bridge, focusing on mechanical energy, gravitational energy, and kinetic energy. The stone's mass is 0.20 kg, and it is thrown upward at a speed of 22.0 m/s from a height of 25 m above the ground.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore calculations for gravitational energy and kinetic energy, questioning specific values used in their attempts.
  • There is discussion on the conservation of energy principles, particularly how kinetic energy converts to potential energy at maximum height.
  • Some participants express confusion over the transition from initial energy to potential energy and the addition of the bridge height to the maximum height achieved by the stone.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, sharing their calculations and checking each other's work. Some have provided guidance on the relationships between kinetic and potential energy, while others are still clarifying their understanding of the concepts involved.

Contextual Notes

There is a sense of urgency as participants mention an upcoming test, which may influence their approach to the problem. Some calculations appear to vary significantly, indicating differing interpretations or potential misunderstandings of the concepts.

Roro312
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Homework Statement



A bridge is 25 m above a road below. If a .20kg stone is thrown upward from the bridge at 22.0m/s, calculate:

a) the gravitational energy of the stone as it is thrown upwar
b) the kinetic energy of the stone as it is thrown up
c) the maximum height (above the ground) achieved by the stone
d) the speed of the stone as it hits the road
e) the total mechanical energy of the stone as it falls pat the bridge on the way down


Homework Equations



Emech= Eg+ Ek

Ek= 1/2mv^2

Eg= mgh

The Attempt at a Solution



a) Eg= (.20)(9.8)(25)
= 49J

b) Ek= (.2)(9.8)(1.5)
=1.47J


the rest i don't get ...im soo confused and i have a test tomorrow
please help me
 
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Roro312 said:

Homework Statement



A bridge is 25 m above a road below. If a .20kg stone is thrown upward from the bridge at 22.0m/s, calculate:

a) the gravitational energy of the stone as it is thrown upwar
b) the kinetic energy of the stone as it is thrown up
c) the maximum height (above the ground) achieved by the stone
d) the speed of the stone as it hits the road
e) the total mechanical energy of the stone as it falls pat the bridge on the way down

Homework Equations



Emech= Eg+ Ek

Ek= 1/2mv^2

Eg= mgh

The Attempt at a Solution



a) Eg= (.20)(9.8)(25)
= 49J

b) Ek= (.2)(9.8)(1.5)
=1.47Jthe rest i don't get ...im soo confused and i have a test tomorrow
please help me

So set the zero point of potential energy on the ground. Then:

Conservation of energy [tex]E_i = E_f[/tex]

(a) [tex]U =mgh[/tex]

Looks right.

(b) [tex]KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2[/tex]

Where did you get 1.5?

(c) At the maximum height v = 0, so all of the initial kinetic energy was converted into potential energy.

(d) At the ground h = 0 so all of the energy has been converted into kinetic energy.

(e) Mechanical energy is conserved.
 
ok so for b) i got 2371.6J

but for c) how do we change initial energy to potentional energy..


Thanks again for ur response... i greatly appreciate it:D
 
Roro312 said:
ok so for b) i got 2371.6J

but for c) how do we change initial energy to potentional energy..


Thanks again for ur response... i greatly appreciate it:D

(b) Try the calculation again.

(c) So initially it is going 22 m/s, this gives it kinetic energy (the amount which is the answer to b). It reaches its maximum height when all of this kinetic energy is converted into potential energy (set equal). This will only give you the height above the bridge though so do not forget to add the height of the bridge as well.
 
(b) 48.4J

(c) 1/2 v2 = gh
½ (22.0)2 = 9.8h
½ (484) = 9.8h
242 = 9.8h
9.8 9.8

24.69 = h

Therefore the max height equals 25 m + the height of the bridge equals 50 m


is that right?
 
Roro312 said:
(b) 48.4J

(c) 1/2 v2 = gh
½ (22.0)2 = 9.8h
½ (484) = 9.8h
242 = 9.8h
9.8 9.8

24.69 = h

Therefore the max height equals 25 m + the height of the bridge equals 50 m


is that right?

I got the same for both.
 
d) i got 22m/s

e)Mmech=(.2)(9.8)(25)+1/2(.2)(22)^2
=97.4 J


o my gosh.. i know i bugged you soo much but seriously without your help i wouldn't have got it.. THANKS a lot:)


just the last two... did you get the same?
 
Roro312 said:
d) i got 22m/s

e)Mmech=(.2)(9.8)(25)+1/2(.2)(22)^2
=97.4 J


o my gosh.. i know i bugged you soo much but seriously without your help i wouldn't have got it.. THANKS a lot:)


just the last two... did you get the same?

(e) Yes

(d) No what I got. All the energy is now kinetic.
 
Thanks a lot for your help Zach... I appreciate it:smile:
 
  • #10
No prob.
 

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