Solve Motion Question for Frictionless Rollercoaster

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a frictionless rollercoaster. The scenario describes a rollercoaster car at a height of 99 meters, which is dropped down a vertical distance of 49 meters. Participants are tasked with calculating the acceleration, time of descent, final speed, and kinetic energy of the car.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of the law of conservation of energy in the context of the problem. There are attempts to rearrange formulas to find acceleration, but some express uncertainty about the necessary variables. Questions arise regarding the sensations experienced during freefall, specifically the feeling of weightlessness versus experiencing 1G.

Discussion Status

Some participants have made calculations and feel confident about their results, while others are exploring the implications of freefall on perceived weight. The conversation reflects a mix of attempts at calculation and conceptual understanding without reaching a consensus on the problem's resolution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of certain variables, such as time and final velocity, which complicates their calculations. The discussion is framed within the constraints of a homework assignment, emphasizing the need for clarity in understanding the physics concepts involved.

blueparukia
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Nice, easy fun really.

Homework Statement



There is a frictionless rollercoaster, at a height of 99m. The mass of the car is 2000kg, weight is 19 613N. The initial velocity of the car suspended at the top is 0, it is then dropped down a sheer (90 degrees) vertical drop for 49m.

GPE is ~1 960 000J

I need to calculate the acceleration of the car after it has dropped, and the time it takes to complete the 49m drop, as well as the final speed it is travelling. Kinetic energy couldn't hurt either :p

attachment.php?attachmentid=24679&stc=1&d=1269664269.png


Homework Equations


5 equations of motion.


The Attempt at a Solution


Meh, I've just rearranged a formula to find acceleration, but i don't have time or final velocity to work off.

Cheers guys, no clue where to start.
 

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Use law of conservation of energy.
Since roller coaster is frictionless, car is falling freely.
 
Cheers mate, I've done the calculations all seems to work out fine.

However, under freefall, you just feel 1G right, not weightlessness?
 
blueparukia said:
Cheers mate, I've done the calculations all seems to work out fine.

However, under freefall, you just feel 1G right, not weightlessness?
Yes. 1 g.
 

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