Kinetic energy efficiency question

13physicsdude
Messages
10
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A roller coaster descends 55m from the top of the first high point to the first low point in the track. The roller coaster converts gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy with an efficiency of 50.0%. What is the velocity of the roller coaster at the bottom of the first low point?

Homework Equations



Efficiency= (Eout/Ein)100%

The Attempt at a Solution



I have no clue how to do it! I don't understand how to use the efficiency equation to get velocity, please help!
 
Last edited:
on Phys.org
13physicsdude said:

The Attempt at a Solution


You forgot to fill out this part, you'll need to before we can help you :wink:
 
Ein is gravitational potential energy, Eout is kinetic energy. Take into account the formula for kinetic energy, mv^2/2.
 
then .5mgh=.5mv^2 then v=(gh)^(.5) solve to get
 
Using conservation of energy, the energy of roller coaster+earth system is conserved, in an ideal case, i.e. change in potential energy = change in kinetic energy. However, in this case there is 50% loss of energy, i.e. only half of the potential energy change equals the kinetic energy change. I think you have your answer now! :)
 

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
6K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
5K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 58 ·
2
Replies
58
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K