Mastering Physics: Solving a Rollercoaster Free Fall Problem with No Friction

  • Thread starter Thread starter sillybilly
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Physics
AI Thread Summary
To solve the rollercoaster problem, apply the principle of conservation of energy, which states that the total mechanical energy remains constant in the absence of friction. Initially, the rollercoaster has potential energy at the height of 100m, which converts to kinetic energy as it falls. To find the height when the rollercoaster is traveling at 20m/s, calculate the kinetic energy at that speed and subtract it from the initial potential energy to determine the remaining potential energy. This remaining energy can then be used to find the new height above the ground. Understanding these energy conversions is crucial for solving similar physics problems effectively.
sillybilly
Messages
10
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


a 1 ton rollercoaster falls froma top of 100m ramp. how high above the ground is it when it is traveling at 20m/s. assume no friction

I DONT NO HOW TO START OR WHERE TO START FROM! PLZ HELP
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Use conversation of energy. I am quite sure it is covered in your book.
 
ohh yes THANK YOU! :)
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Back
Top