Solving an Uphill Task: A 10° Frictionless Ramp & 8 m/s Cart

In summary, the conversation is about a question involving a cart moving at 8 m/s on a flat surface and going up a frictionless ramp tilted at 10 degrees. The question is how far up the ramp the cart should go. The conversation includes ideas about using energy and equations for kinetic and potential energy, but the person is unsure of which equation to use and how to solve the problem. They ask for help and clarification on the equations needed.
  • #1
fizzicks
3
0
This is the most horrible question I've ever had to do. It should be simple, but it's not!

A cart moving at 8 m/s on a flat surface goes up a frictionless ramp tilted 10 degrees from the horizontal. How far up the ramp should the cart go?

It's not worded like that exactly, but the question is the same. Any ideas on how to solve this one? :confused:
 
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  • #2
use energy?
 
  • #3
But what do I have to do to find out how far up the ramp it will go? I don't know what equation to use. I tried and tried but can't figure it out.
 
  • #4
State the equations for Kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy.
 
  • #5
I know about the potential energy and kinetic energy, but if I only have the speed and angle of the ramp, how am I supposed to work it out?
 
  • #6
what are the equations? write them out. it may help
 

1. How does the angle of the ramp affect the motion of the cart?

The angle of the ramp is directly related to the acceleration of the cart. The greater the angle, the steeper the slope, and the greater the acceleration. In this case, a 10° angle will result in a slower acceleration compared to a steeper ramp.

2. What is the significance of a frictionless ramp in this experiment?

A frictionless ramp ensures that there are no external forces acting on the cart, allowing us to isolate the effects of gravity and the angle of the ramp on the motion of the cart. This helps to accurately study the relationship between these factors without any interference from friction.

3. How is the velocity of the cart affected by the ramp?

The velocity of the cart is determined by its acceleration and the distance it travels. In this experiment, the angle of the ramp affects the acceleration, while the length of the ramp (8 m) affects the distance traveled. As the cart moves down the ramp, its velocity will increase due to the acceleration from gravity.

4. Can the speed of the cart be changed by altering the angle of the ramp?

Yes, the speed of the cart can be changed by altering the angle of the ramp. A steeper ramp will result in a faster acceleration and therefore a higher speed of the cart. A shallower ramp will result in a slower acceleration and a lower speed of the cart.

5. How does the mass of the cart affect its motion on the ramp?

The mass of the cart does not have a direct effect on its motion on the ramp. However, it does impact the force of gravity acting on the cart, which in turn affects its acceleration. A heavier cart will experience a greater force of gravity and therefore a faster acceleration compared to a lighter cart.

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