Conservation of energy and height of projectile

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving the conservation of energy related to a child sliding down a water slide and being launched into the air. The objective is to determine the maximum airborne height in terms of given variables.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the conservation of energy principle to find the maximum height. They express confusion regarding the problem-solving process and share their initial equations. Some participants provide feedback on the equations and question the calculations presented.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing feedback on the original poster's approach and equations. There is a mix of agreement and questioning regarding the correctness of the calculations, indicating a collaborative effort to clarify the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of friction in the problem setup, which is a critical assumption in applying the conservation of energy principle. There are indications of potential typographical errors in the equations presented by the original poster.

numb401
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
A child slides without friction from a height h along a curved water slide (Fig. P5.44). She is launched from a height h/5 into the pool. Determine her maximum airborne height y in terms of h and . (Use q for and h as appropriate.)
p5_44.gif

I understand that you use conservation of energy to solve the problem, but for some reason my brain is dead to physics today. O-chem/Calc 1/Bio I can handle but for some reason these word problems are really tripping me up.

Here's what I have so far.

W(nc) =(KEf + PEf) - (KEi + PEi)
0 = 1/2mv^2 + mg(h/5) - (0 + mgh) (For the end of the slide to find velocity when she leaves slide)
ymax = vo^2sin^2(q) /(2 g)

Am I on the right track?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
yes it is looking good, except i think you have some typo's in the last equation line, but i know what you mean.
 
I ended up with ymax = (-h/5 + h)*(sin(q))^2 and its registering as incorrect. Notice any errors?
 
how did you get (-h/5 + h)? I'm not getting that from using the energy equation solving for v.
 
u've got it wrong- it's conservative since it's frictionless
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
13K
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
8K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K