Conservation of Energy/Gravitational Potential Energy

[Dougggggg]

Homework Statement

There are 2 buckets hanging from a single pulley with rope (not considering the mass) that connects them. One is on the ground and has a mass of 4.0 kg, the second is 2.00 m above the ground when released. Using conservation of energy, find the speed of the second bucket when it hits the ground.

Homework Equations

K₁+U₁-W_other=K₂+U₂

U_g=mgh

K=$$\frac{1}{2}$$mv²

The Attempt at a Solution

I put K₁ and U₂ equal to 0 and made W_other equal to m₁gh. Then just solved for v by multiplying by 2/m₂ and square rooting.

I got 5.11 m/s but the book says 4.4 m/s. Anyone know where I messed up or what I'm not accounting for?

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi Dougggggg!

Both buckets have KE.

 

[Dougggggg]

Hi Dougggggg!

Both buckets have KE.

So I would set it equal to a second K on the right side of the equation? I will try it out and edit when I have solved.

Awesome, worked perfectly, thanks.