Conservation of mechanical energy (low difficulty)

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a rollercoaster problem involving the conservation of mechanical energy. The initial height is 35m, and the velocity at the ground level is calculated to be 26 m/s. For the second part, the velocity at 28m above the ground is found to be approximately 11.7 m/s using energy conservation principles. The final part of the problem, which involves descending another 13m, yields a velocity of around 20 m/s. Participants confirm the calculations and emphasize the importance of applying conservation of energy concepts.
Oscar Wilde
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Homework Statement



There is a rollercoaster. A car starts 35m "high" and descends to the ground. A.) What is the velocity at this point? The car continues an goes 28m above the ground. B.) calculate its velocity at this point. C.) If the car descends another 13m from this point, what is the velocity

Ignore Friction

Homework Equations



mgy=1/2mv^2

The Attempt at a Solution



using mgy= 1/2mv^2 i got the answer to a.), which is 26 m/s. But after this I became flustered and I do not know what to do to get its velocity if it goes 28m higher. I understand c. but I need the velocity at point B to get it!

Please help
 
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I'm sorry I just figured it out for B.

I set 1/2mv^2=1/2mv^2+mgy and found my second velocity, which comes out to 11.7 roughly when using g=9.8

I would appreciate if someone would confirm my findings

I then set up the (square root of(1/2mv^2 + mgy-mgy)/.5)=v and came out with 20 m/s for C.
 
Oscar Wilde said:

Homework Statement



There is a rollercoaster. A car starts 35m "high" and descends to the ground. A.) What is the velocity at this point? The car continues an goes 28m above the ground. B.) calculate its velocity at this point. C.) If the car descends another 13m from this point, what is the velocity

Ignore Friction

Homework Equations



mgy=1/2mv^2

The Attempt at a Solution



using mgy= 1/2mv^2 i got the answer to a.), which is 26 m/s. But after this I became flustered and I do not know what to do to get its velocity if it goes 28m higher. I understand c. but I need the velocity at point B to get it!

Please help

You're on the right track, think about conservation of energy
\Delta U = m g \Delta y
\Delta K = \frac{1}{2} m(v_f ^2-v_i^2)
Thus \Delta K + \Delta U = 0
Thus -m g \Delta y +\frac{1}{2} m v_i^2= \frac{1}{2} m v_f^2
 
I also got 11.7 for part B.
 
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