A ball is released on a smooth ramp at a distance of 5 metres from the ground. Calculate its speed when it reaches the bottom of the ramp.

The ramp is smooth, so the effects of friction can be ignored. Therefore, the potential energy lost by the ball is equivalent to the kinetic energy gained by the ball. The formula for kinetic energy is 1/2 * m * v^2 and the formula for gravitational potential energy is m * g * h.Therefore, equate these and find that 1/2 * v^2 = g * h, after cancelling out m. Solving for v gets a speed of 9.90 m/s.

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Answered by Cameron B. Maths tutor

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