Calculating Velocity of a Sliding Box on an Inclined Ramp

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the velocity of a box sliding down an inclined ramp. The box has a mass of 6.2 kg and slides a distance of 4.8 m down a ramp inclined at 38 degrees to the horizontal. The original poster attempts to relate gravitational potential energy (GPE) and kinetic energy (KE) to find the velocity just before the box hits the ground.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between GPE and KE, with the original poster questioning the correctness of their equations and the treatment of height in the context of the ramp's incline. Some participants seek clarification on the loss of GPE and its implications for the problem.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the setup of the problem and the equations involved. There is a request for further assistance in determining the loss of gravitational potential energy, indicating a collaborative effort to clarify the concepts at play.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the specifics of the problem setup, including the relationship between the ramp's incline and the height from which the box descends. There is an indication of uncertainty regarding the treatment of variables in the equations presented.

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Homework Statement


A box of mass 6.2 kg slides 4.8 m down a ramp that is inclined 38 degrees to the horizontal. What is the velocity of the box right before it hits the ground?
Mass=6.2 Height=dsintheta? V=is what needs to be found theta=38

Homework Equations


GPE=mgh=mgdsin(theta)
KE=1/2mv^2
New equation:
GPE⋅+KE⋅=GPE
mgh⋅+1/2mv^2=mgh
1/2mv^2=mgh-mgh⋅
mv^2=2(mgh-mgh⋅)
V^2=2(mgh-mgh⋅)/m
v=√2(mgh-mgh⋅)/m

The Attempt at a Solution


i just want to see if my equations are correct. if it could be factored even more could someone tell me. like the two mgh's i feel like could be changed but I am not too sure. I know h is also h=dsin(θ) but would it be the same for the two since it will be different?
 
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I'm not sure I understand what you are trying to do. I think you're trying to say something like:

The box falls a vertical height ##h = d\sin(\theta)## where ##d## is the length of the slope.

The loss of GPE is, therefore, ...
 
PeroK said:
I'm not sure I understand what you are trying to do. I think you're trying to say something like:

The box falls a vertical height ##h = d\sin(\theta)## where ##d## is the length of the slope.

The loss of GPE is, therefore, ...
I'm sorry that's what I'm trying to say, I just need a little bit of help on this problem
 
Cglez1280 said:
I'm sorry that's what I'm trying to say, I just need a little bit of help on this problem
Can you do the next step? What is the loss in GPE?
 

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