Roller coaster cart is stationary at a point off the ground 24.5 m (h1). Later when on a different hill (h2) it is 24.5 m from the ground. What is the potential energy of the cart at h1 relative to the ground? Acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/2^2.
Is the h2 info thrown in to confuse the problem, or is it somehow needed to solve?
2006-10-11 12:20:56 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Still trying to get the right answer using h1, any ideas? Seems like it should be simple but my answer doesn't seem right.
2006-10-12 02:06:20 · update #1
Yes the h2 looks to me not necessary, and they could give you as may points as they like, it wouldn't make any difference to the h1...
2006-10-11 12:28:08 · answer #1 · answered by quirin62 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The mass is needed to calculate the potential energy, it doesn't "cancel out". The equation is PE = m*g*h. The second hill is there to lead you astray.
2006-10-14 12:01:34 · answer #2 · answered by kirchwey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The second hill is not needed. You are missing mass though. (which will cancel out because it remains the same, mostly.
2006-10-11 12:49:45 · answer #3 · answered by Don't look too close! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋