Calculating Potential Energy Changes in a Hanging Mass and Glider System

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating potential energy changes in a system involving a hanging mass and a glider on an air track. The hanging mass is 10 grams, and the glider weighs 120 grams, with the track inclined at 0.35 degrees. Key calculations include determining the potential energy lost by the hanging mass when it drops 60 cm, the vertical rise of the glider, and the increase in the glider's potential energy. Participants express confusion over the equations needed, particularly regarding the conservation of mechanical energy and gravitational potential energy (GPE). The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the system's mechanics to solve the problems accurately.
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A samll mass is hanging from an air track system with a mass of 10 grams. It is connected to a glider with a mass of 120 grams. The air track makes on angle of .35 degrees with the horizontal. Assume that the hanging mass and the glider are initially at rest.

a) if the mass drops a distance of 60 cm how much potential energy does it lose?

b)how far does the glider rise vertically when the small mass drops 60 cm

c) What is the increase in potential energy of the glider when it rise the given distance in the the previous problem

d)what is the total change in the potential energy of the two?

e)ignoring frictional losses what would be the final speed of the glider?

Homework Equations



no idea, what to use for this problem I would think I use the conservation of mrchanical energy equation.

The Attempt at a Solution



I have no idea how to even start please help! This is a pre lab and I need to undestand this stuff so I can do well with the lab its self
 
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GPE = mgh
That is Gravitational potential energy = mass * acceleration due to gravity * height
mass in Kg
acceleration due to gravity is 9.81ms^-2
height in metres
GPE is measured in Joules.

This should get you going. You might need another equation but I can't think what it would be.
 
I did that and I got negative 58. 9 Joules but then how do I figure out b?
 
-58.9 J. Doesn't sound right. I'm not sure with the glider. Do you have a pic of the setup and can you post it here?
 
Thats good. I don't know what this system looks like though so I don't know what equations to use. Why would the glider rise, surly it should fall under gravity.
 

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