How Far Will a Block Travel Up a 32-Degree Ramp with Initial Speed of 3.7 m/s?

[Cantphysics]

Homework Statement

A block is given an initial speed of 3.7 m/s up a frictionless plane angled at 32 degrees. How far up the ramp will the block travel

Homework Equations

v^2 = v null^2 +2a delta x

The Attempt at a Solution

3.7^2 -0^2/(2*9.8) =x
my biggest issue is that i wasn't given a mass, and i can't find it using any of the formulas i know since i also don't have the force. I feel like I am using the wrong formula since I am not using the angle at all. [/B]

 

[gneill]

Hi Cantphysics,

Welcome to Physics Forums.

There are two approaches. One using the kinematic equations where you'll need to draw a free body diagram for the block on the ramp to determine the acceleration. You'll find that the mass variable will eventually cancel out so you don't need a value for it. The other approach is to use conservation of energy. Again the mass will cancel out.

 

[Chandra Prayaga]

Notice that the only data you have not been explicitly given is the acceleration. To find that, you will need to follow the procedure suggested gneill in post #2