Kinetic E & Potential E Question

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating kinetic and potential energy for a 55kg mass projected vertically at an initial speed of 30 m/s. The original kinetic energy is calculated using the formula W = mv²/2, yielding 24,750 Joules. The kinetic energy after 4.5 seconds requires reevaluation of the velocity due to negative acceleration, leading to the use of conservation of energy principles to find the change in gravitational potential energy. The final approach emphasizes that height does not need to be calculated directly, as energy conservation provides the necessary relationship between kinetic and potential energy.

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  • Understanding of kinetic energy calculations using W = mv²/2
  • Familiarity with gravitational potential energy, W = mgh
  • Knowledge of conservation of energy principles
  • Basic kinematics, particularly equations of motion under constant acceleration
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Homework Statement



A 55kg mass is projected vertically with and initial speed of 30m/sec
a) what is original kinetic energy
b) What is kinetic E after 4.5 seconds
c) What is chg in gravitational potential E in these 4.5seconds?

Homework Equations



W=mv2/2
W=(m/2)(gt)2
W=mgh


The Attempt at a Solution



a) Original =(55)(30)2/2

b) W=(m/2)(gt)2

=(55/2)[(9.8)(4.5)]2

c) W=mgh

=(55)(9.8)h
 
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physics(L)10 said:
a) Original =(55)(30)2/2
This is correct.

b) W=(m/2)(gt)2

=(55/2)[(9.8)(4.5)]2
This is not correct. Rethink how to calculate the speed; it's not equal to gt. (It's slowing down, for one thing. The acceleration is negative.)
 
ok I think I know,

v2=v1 -at
0=55-(9.8)(4.5)

Is this correct?

And how about c? you didn't comment on that
 
physics(L)10 said:
ok I think I know,

v2=v1 -at
0=55-(9.8)(4.5)
Good. (I assume you mean v2 = ..., not 0 = ...)

And how about c? you didn't comment on that
You need the answer to b to get c. (You aren't given the height.)
 
Yes my bad. and for c, does it look something like this?:

mgh=mv2/2

The m's cancel and you get:

gh=v2/2

Solving for h,

h=v2/2g

And then you could work out W=mgh?
 
physics(L)10 said:
Yes my bad. and for c, does it look something like this?:

mgh=mv2/2
Not exactly. Use conservation of energy like this:
KE1 + PE1 = KE2 + PE2
Then solve for the change in PE.

(Your equation assumes that the final KE is zero, which is not the case here.)

Note that there's no need to solve for h, just use energy conservation.
 
So let's say, initial speed = 55 and final = 25. These would be the only differences in KE1,KE2?
 
physics(L)10 said:
So let's say, initial speed = 55 and final = 25. These would be the only differences in KE1,KE2?
Those would be the speeds, from which you'd calculate KE1 and KE2 and then the difference.
 
How would you find out the height difference to find the potential energy difference?
 
  • #10
physics(L)10 said:
How would you find out the height difference to find the potential energy difference?
You do not need the height difference. They ask for the change in PE, which can be found using conservation of energy.

If you wanted to find the height difference, use kinematics. But that's not necessary.
 
  • #11
Would this work? I find change in KE which then can be used in the equation -KE=PE?
 
  • #12
physics(L)10 said:
Would this work? I find change in KE which then can be used in the equation -KE=PE?
I think you mean -ΔKE = ΔPE. Sure that will work--that's equivalent to the equation I gave in post #6.

ΔKE = KE2 - KE1
ΔPE = PE2 - PE1
 
  • #13
Okay I think I got it. Thank you :D :D
 

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