Mechanical Energy Physics Example 3

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

medium

2 \text{ kg}

object slides down a frictionless ramp from

8 \text{ m}

high. What is its speed at the bottom? Use

g = 10 \text{ m/s}^2

1
Total mechanical energy at top: $E = mgh = 2 \times 10 \times 8 = 160 \text{ J}$ .
2
At the bottom, all energy is kinetic: $\frac{1}{2}mv^2 = 160$ .
3
$v = \sqrt{\frac{320}{2}} = \sqrt{160} \approx 12.65 \text{ m/s}$

Answer

v \approx 12.65 \text{ m/s}

On a frictionless ramp, mechanical energy is conserved. The speed at the bottom depends only on the vertical drop, not on the ramp's angle or shape.

About Mechanical Energy

The total of kinetic energy and potential energy in a mechanical system at any given moment.

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