Converting Potential Energy to Kinetic: Analyzing Resistant Forces

[daddylange]

the way i see it is this is a simple potential to to kinetic balance.

mgh = 1/2 mv^2

the m's cancel assuming the weight isn't changing.

so here's the hard part.

calculating the resistant forces.

air resistance and friction in the wire/pulley

so can anyone get me started on how to calculate those energies and put it into my first balance?

 

[JaredJames]

GPE = maximum KE at bottom.

So, mgh at top = 0.5mv² at the bottom. So you can work out the final speed.

Of course, that assumes no losses. But if you have a good bearing on the harness pulley the friction losses would be incredibly small from that and wind resistance.