A roller coaster car starts stationary at the top of a downwards slope. At the bottom of the slope, it has a speed of 30m/s. Use the conservation of energy to find the vertical height of the slope. (Use g=10 m/s^2)

From the conservation of energy, we know that the change in gravitational potential energy (GPE) is equal to the change in kinetic energy (KE). GPE=mgh and KE=(1/2)mv^2. At the top of the slope, the car starts stationary so has KE=0 and at the bottom of the slope GPE=0. Therefore the GPE at the top equals the KE at the bottom. mgh=(1/2)mv^2. Divide both sides by the mass (m) to get gh=(1/2)v^2 and rearrange to find h, h=v^2/2g. Substitute in the numbers to find h=45m (don't forget units!)

TM
Answered by Tamsin M. Physics tutor

3509 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Imagine a probe in space. Argon gas can be fired from the probes fuel tanks to propel the probe. Discuss whether conservation of momentum applies and whether the speed of the probe increases.


Why do you weigh less on the Moon than on Earth?


What is refraction?


A particle of mass 5kg is acted upon by a force of 400N for a distance of 20m along the x axis. What is its final velocity if it is initally at rest?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning