Conservation of Mechanical Energy-help

[moephysics]

Homework Statement

A skier starts from rest at the top of a hill. The skier coasts down the hill and up a second hill, as the drawing illustrates. The crest of the second hill is circular, with a radius of . Neglect friction and air resistance. What must be the height h of the first hill so that the skier just loses contact with the snow at the crest of the second hill?


I don't get the last part of this question I mean does the skier lose contact at the crest of the second hill or right before it or right after it. I just need some clarification with that and I've attached the drawing that comes with the problem. Thats all and thank you

 

[Doc Al]

I don't get the last part of this question I mean does the skier lose contact at the crest of the second hill or right before it or right after it.

Assume that it means what it says: The skier loses contact at the crest of the hill (right at the top). What does that tell you about the forces on the skier at that point?

 

[moephysics]

Assume that it means what it says: The skier loses contact at the crest of the hill (right at the top). What does that tell you about the forces on the skier at that point?

it tells me that he has gained enough kinetic energy so that he won't touch the crest at that point

 

[Doc Al]

it tells me that he has gained enough kinetic energy so that he won't touch the crest at that point

OK, but how much is that? Hint: Consider the forces acting on the skier at that point.

 

[moephysics]

OK, but how much is that? Hint: Consider the forces acting on the skier at that point.

well he's kind of undergoing circular motion so there must be a centripetal force acting on him if he were to go along the crest of the hill without losing contact with it.

 

[moephysics]

umm yea yea i get itt,, thanksss a lot for you help :)