Potential Energy and maximum velocity

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a mass sliding down an incline, where the maximum velocity is given, and the task is to determine the kinetic energy and the percentage of potential energy lost due to friction. The subject area includes concepts of potential energy, kinetic energy, and energy loss due to friction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the percentage of potential energy lost due to friction but expresses uncertainty about how to start this part of the problem. Other participants suggest using the known height to find potential energy and relate it to kinetic energy, while questioning if all necessary information has been provided.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy, with some guidance offered on how to approach the percentage calculation. There is an ongoing examination of the information provided and its sufficiency for solving the problem.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the incline's dimensions, specifically the hypotenuse and vertical height, which may be relevant for calculating potential energy. The original poster's confusion about the percentage calculation indicates a potential gap in understanding the energy conversion process.

JSapit
Messages
34
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



The mass 0.40 kg is released and slides down the incline. The maximum velocity ( taken the instant before the mass reaches the bottom of the incline ) is 1.00 m/s. What is the kinetic energy at that time? What percentage of the potential energy of the system is not converted into kinetic energy due to friction? (converted into heat instead)

My question is with part b, and the percentage of potential energy lost due to friction.

Homework Equations



U=mgh
k=(1/2)mv^2

The Attempt at a Solution



The answer to question a, which is the amount of Kinetic Energy was 0.2 Joules.

However, I had no idea how to start part b.

Any help is appreciated, thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Bumperooski. I tried dividing the amount of PE by KE, and vice versa, but that didn't work. Still lost :/
 
Is that all the info given?
Do they give any more info about the incline?
 
the hypotenuse of the triangle is 40 cm with the vertical portion at 7 cm.
 
I assume funky is working the same problem then?
Well, if you know the height, you can find the potential energy. And you know the final velocity, so you know the kinetic energy.
Now if all your potential energy didn't get converted to kinetic where did it go?
If you are having problems with just the percent part, the equation is KE/H * 100%
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
14K
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
15
Views
2K