What is the Conservation of Energy Principle Used for in AP Physics Homework?

[meganw]

Homework Statement

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/6163/physicscopydi7.gif

This is AP Physics C 2003 M2 by the way...

Homework Equations

Kinematics: vf^2=vi^2+2a(d)

The Attempt at a Solution

a) Speed of the clay uses kinematics. Clay starts at rest, accelrates at gravity=9.8, and the distance is H:

vf^2=vi^2+2a(d)

vf^2=2(9.8)(H)

vf=\sqrt{}19.6H

b) The speed of the pan...hmmmm..so I would guess that it's the same as the speed of the clay just was, but I'm not sure if I can make that assumption.

Thanks for the help, by the way. =)

 

[meganw]

p.s. I'm going to sleep right now and I won't have time to discuss this problem tomorrow, but if someone is willing to just post all the steps to the solution of this AP problem, you could be my savior. Thank You!