physics
The roller-coaster car shown in Fig. 6-41 (h1 = 50 m, h2 = 11 m, h3 = 30 m), is dragged up to point 1 where it is released from rest. Assuming no friction, calculate the speed at points 2, 3, and 4
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V2 = √(2gh1) V3 = √(2gh2) V4 = √(2gh3) Speed at point 2 = √(2*9.8*50) = 18.94 m/s Speed at point 3 = √(2*9.8*11) = 6.83 m/s Speed at point 4 = √(2*9.8*30) = 14.89 m/s The speed at each point is determined by the amount of gravitational potential energy that has been converted into kinetic energy. Since there is no friction, the kinetic energy is conserved as the car moves along the track. As the height decreases, the gravitational potential energy decreases and the kinetic energy (i.e. the speed) increases.
