- #1
Medgirl314
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Homework Statement
A 20 kg child slides down a slide at a playground. The slide is 5 meters long, and is inclined at an angle of 37 degrees above the horizontal. What is the child's change in potential?
Homework Equations
PE=mgy
With m=mass, g=gravity, and y=distance.
The Attempt at a Solution
I have solved potential energy problems before this,but I don't know how to account for the angle. If there was no angle, the formula would be PE=20*9.8*5, and I think that would be the change in energy since when the child reaches the bottom y=0, canceling out the entire equation. Could someone please tell me where the angle comes in? I don't want it done for me, I just need one post with a helpful explanation, and then I should be good. :)
Thanks so much!