A roller coaster is released from the top of a track that is 57 m high. Find the roller coaster speed when it reaches ground level.

Question

asked Jan 22, 2023 130k views

1 Answer

Cascadox · Answer 1 · 2023-01-28T19:40:32+0000

Hi there!

Assuming the track is frictionless:

$E_i = E_f\\\\PE = KE\\\\mgh = (1)/(2)mv^2$

Cancel out the masses and rearrange to solve for velocity:

$gh = (1)/(2)v^(2)\\\\v = √(2gh)\\\\$

Plug in the given height and let g = 9.8 m/s²:

$v = √(2(9.8)(57)) = \boxed{33.42 m/s}$