Velocity at the bottom of an incline

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SUMMARY

The velocity of an object at the bottom of a frictionless incline can be calculated using kinematics and Newton's second law. Given a mass of 108 kg, an initial velocity of 4.6 m/s, a ramp length of 755 m, and an incline angle of 19.6 degrees, the final velocity is approximately 70.6 m/s. The acceleration down the incline is determined by the formula a = g * sin(19.6), where g is the acceleration due to gravity. The kinematic equation v^2 = v0^2 + 2*a*dx is used to find the final velocity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of kinematics equations
  • Basic knowledge of Newton's second law
  • Familiarity with gravitational acceleration (g = 9.81 m/s²)
  • Concept of forces acting on an object on an incline
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to apply energy conservation principles in mechanics
  • Study the effects of friction on inclined planes
  • Explore advanced kinematics equations for varying acceleration
  • Investigate the relationship between distance and velocity in motion
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Students studying physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding motion on inclined planes.

Tycho
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How can I find the velocity of an object at the bottom of a frictionless incline?

m=108kg
Initial Velocity= 4.6m/s
Length of ramp=755m
Incline=downwards at 19.6 degrees

I keep telling myself I'm not unintelligent... But this keeps replying otherwise
 
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Use the given angle and the mass of the object to calculate the component of the object's weight acting parallel to the incline. With this net force acting on it (there is no friction), you know its acceleration from Newton's second law. Kinematics will tell you the final velocity of an object with the given initial velocity traversing this distance at constant acceleration.
 
Tycho said:
How can I find the velocity of an object at the bottom of a frictionless incline?

m=108kg
Initial Velocity= 4.6m/s
Length of ramp=755m
Incline=downwards at 19.6 degrees

I keep telling myself I'm not unintelligent... But this keeps replying otherwise
This should be in the Highschool Help section, but here is how I would do it:

Given: mass, v0, dx, and angle theta, we want to find v.

There is a kenematics equation: v^2 = v0^2 + 2*a*dx

The only thing you do not know is the acceleration, which you can find from the given quantities. The only thing acting on your object is Gravity.
 
PrudensOptimus said:
This should be in the Highschool Help section, but here is how I would do it:

Given: mass, v0, dx, and angle theta, we want to find v.

There is a kenematics equation: v^2 = v0^2 + 2*a*dx

The only thing you do not know is the acceleration, which you can find from the given quantities. The only thing acting on your object is Gravity.

dx? is that the length of the incline?
and to find the acceleration, is that a=-g*SIN(angle)?
 
Tycho said:
dx? is that the length of the incline?
and to find the acceleration, is that a=-g*SIN(angle)?
dx is the length of the line in this case.

Acceleration is defined to be a = Sum of all forces / m for constant mass objects.

your a = -g*SIN(angle) is misleading. It will not work in all cases.
 
Final velocity should be 70.6 m/s down the slope.
 
Acceleration down the plane a = gsin(19.6)
distance, s = 755
initial velocity, v' = 4.6
substitute values in
V^2 = (V')^2 + 2as
v=71 m/s (aprox)
 
PrudensOptimus said:
Final velocity should be 70.6 m/s down the slope.
just in case you might ask why is the final velocity almost 15 times faster than the initial speed: The distance played a major factor in determining this such increase... as you go further, your speed increases.
 
Why not just use energy conservation? The change in kinetic energy in this situation depends only on the net vertical displacement of the object. Remember Galileo! The rest is basic geometry.
 

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