Question

Would a 700 gram car have more kinetic energy and less potential at the bottom of a racetrack then a 500 gram car

Answer 1

To determine the kinetic and potential energy of the cars at the bottom of the racetrack, we need to consider their masses.

Kinetic energy (KE) is given by the equation:
KE = (1/2) * mass * velocity^2

Potential energy (PE) is given by the equation:
PE = mass * gravity * height

Assuming both cars start from the same height and have the same speed at the top of the racetrack, we can neglect the effect of height and focus on mass.

For the the 700 gram car:
KE = (1/2) * 0.7 kg * velocity^2
PE = 0.7 kg * gravity * height (assuming same height for both cars)

For the 500 gram car:
KE = (1/2) * 0.5 kg * velocity^2
PE = 0.5 kg * gravity * height (assuming same height for both cars)

Since the mass of the 700 gram car is greater than the mass of the 500 gram car, it will have more kinetic energy at the bottom of the racetrack.

However, since the height and gravity are the same for both cars, the potential energy will be the same for both cars at the bottom of the racetrack.

In summary, the 700 gram car will have more kinetic energy and the same potential energy as the 500 gram car at the bottom of the racetrack.