Calculating Energy Ratio (Ef/Ei) for Earth's System

[jbgibson]

What is the energy ratio (Ef/Ei) of a system on Earth that has a final velocity of 3901.5 cm/s, initial velocity of 249.9 m/s, and a height of 0.006 km.


E = K + U
= 1/2mv^2 + mgh

Ef = 1/2mvf^2 + mghf
Ei = 1/2mvi^2 + mghi


It appears that the object is being forced upwards since the vi>vf. I tried several times setting hi = 0 and hf = 6m, but I can't seem to come up with the correct answer.

 

[physics girl phd]

You do want the energy ratio... did you find Ef and Ei and then divide? Also -- I notice here that vf seems to have units of cm/s... is that right and did you take that into account?... might just be these bookkeeping things.

 

[jbgibson]

You do want the energy ratio... did you find Ef and Ei and then divide? Also -- I notice here that vf seems to have units of cm/s... is that right and did you take that into account?... might just be these bookkeeping things.

Yes, I'm trying to solve the energy ratio. I did take into account that vf has units of cm/s. Under normal circumstances, hf = 0, and vf>vi. I made the assumption, based on the values given, that hi = 0, and that an upward force is being applied.