Conservation of energy and height of projectile

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on applying the conservation of energy principle to determine the maximum airborne height of a child sliding down a frictionless water slide. The initial kinetic and potential energy equations are set up, with the goal of finding the child's velocity as she leaves the slide. Participants point out errors in the calculations, particularly in the formulation of the maximum height equation. The importance of correctly applying the conservation of energy in a frictionless scenario is emphasized, leading to clarifications on the energy equations used. The conversation highlights common challenges in solving physics problems involving energy conservation and projectile motion.
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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?
 
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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
 
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