Calculate Speed at Top of Roller Coaster 2nd Hill (5.5m)

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SUMMARY

The calculation of the speed at the top of the second hill of a roller coaster, which is 5.5 meters high, has been successfully determined using principles of energy conservation. The mass of the coaster, 800 kg, is irrelevant due to the constant acceleration of gravity. The initial speed at the bottom of the first hill is calculated to be 18.9 m/s, leading to a final speed at the top of the second hill of 15.9 m/s. This conclusion is confirmed by the forum participants, validating the calculations presented.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gravitational potential energy (PE) and kinetic energy (KE)
  • Familiarity with the conservation of energy principle
  • Basic algebra for solving equations
  • Knowledge of roller coaster dynamics and physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the conservation of mechanical energy in physics
  • Learn about gravitational potential energy calculations
  • Explore kinetic energy formulas and their applications
  • Investigate the effects of mass on roller coaster dynamics
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, roller coaster designers, and engineers interested in energy conservation principles and dynamics of motion in amusement rides.

cowgiljl
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The mass of the coaster is 800 kg
The lift hill is 18 m highabd it goes up the lift hill at 2.50 m/s
The second hill is 5.5m high.

Wants to know the speed at the top of the second hill.
do i really care about the weight of the car?

This is what i have so far

PEtop1 +KEtop1 = KE bott
2*9.80*18 +2.5^2 = v^2 bott
V bott = 18.9 m/s

second formula was
Ke bott - Pe top1 = KE top 2
18.9^2 - 2*9.80*5.5 = V^2 top 2

Vtop 2 = 15.9 m/s and that is my final answer is that look right

thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yep...answer looks right to me.
 
thanks

thanks hindi
 
I believe the mass doesn't matter in this problem because the coaster is under constant acceleration for the whole run (gravity).
 

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