Finding final speed of object on incline

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves an object sliding down a frictionless ramp at an angle, with the goal of determining its final speed when the gravitational acceleration is doubled. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the correct answer and their own calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use kinematic equations to relate distance, acceleration, and final speed, but questions the validity of their approach and the assumptions made in the solutions manual.
  • Some participants suggest using a specific kinematic equation to clarify the relationship between acceleration and final speed.
  • There is a discussion about the implications of doubling the acceleration and whether the time taken to reach the bottom of the ramp remains constant.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem and questioning the assumptions underlying the original poster's reasoning. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of kinematic equations, but no consensus has been reached on the correct answer.

Contextual Notes

The original poster's calculations are based on their interpretation of the problem, which may differ from standard approaches. There is also a mention of difficulties in presenting mathematical work clearly, which may affect the discussion.

RoboNerd
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Homework Statement


An object of mass m is allowed to slide down a frictionless ramp of angle Θ, and its speed at the bottom is recorded as v. If this same process was followed on a planet with twice the gravitational acceleration as Earth, what would be its final speed?

Multiple Choice Options:
(A) 2v
(B) v√2
(C) v
(D) v/ √2
(E) v/2

I know that the right answer is A, but I do not understand why... I will explain what I attempted to do in my attempt at solution.

Homework Equations


Newton's second law: F = ma, with the force of gravity parallel to the incline being Fg*sin(Θ).
This means that my acceleration will be g*sin(Θ)

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
So let's say that we have a distance Δx, which represents the length of the ramp at the angle.
I attempt to use a kinematic equation to solve for the length of the ramp and then try to apply the calculated result in another kinematic equation using the doubled value of acceleration.

My attempt is attached in a photograph, and I got B. I do not understand why what I did is incorrect and why A is correct.

The solutions manual (which I am attaching the solutions to here) says something different, and while I understand their approach.. I believe that they are basing it on the faulty assumption that with the doubled acceleration, the amount of time that the object will take to reach the base of the ramp is the same.

Could anyone please explain why my approach is wrong and why, and what I could possibly do instead?

Thanks in advance
 

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I won't try to decipher your sideways photos (we prefer to see work typed in so that helpers can quote and comment on individual lines), but I agree with your conclusion that the answer should be B.

The standard equation that they should have referenced and used here is ##v_f^2 - v_i^2 = 2 a d##.
 
gneill said:
I won't try to decipher your sideways photos (we prefer to see work typed in so that helpers can quote and comment on individual lines), but I agree with your conclusion that the answer should be B.

The standard equation that they should have referenced and used here is ##v_f^2 - v_i^2 = 2 a d##.
I do not know how to use the equation formatting tools on this site that well. Sorry.

However, why are you of that opinion?
 
RoboNerd said:
I do not know how to use the equation formatting tools on this site that well. Sorry.
The LaTeX equation formatting syntax takes a bit of getting used to, but it's not all that hard for basic stuff. You can also use the symbols and special characters available via the ##\Sigma## icon and use the ##x_2## and ##x^2## buttons to achieve subscripts and superscripts.
However, why are you of that opinion?
Which opinion is that?
 
gneill said:
The LaTeX equation formatting syntax takes a bit of getting used to, but it's not all that hard for basic stuff. You can also use the symbols and special characters available via the ##\Sigma## icon and use the ##x_2## and ##x^2## buttons to achieve subscripts and superscripts.

Which opinion is that?
The opinion that the answer should be B?
 
Because I look at the equation I quoted and can "see" the answer: The standard equation that relates velocity to acceleration and distance involves velocity squared being proportional to the acceleration multiplied by the distance, or turning that around: for a given fixed distance the velocity is proportional to the square root of the acceleration.
 

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