Question
What is the potential energy point of a skateboarder riding a U-shaped ramp?
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The potential energy (PE) of a skateboarder riding a U-shaped ramp is primarily determined by their height above a reference point, usually the lowest point of the ramp. The formula for gravitational potential energy is:
\[ PE = mgh \]
Where:
- \( PE \) is the potential energy,
- \( m \) is the mass of the skateboarder,
- \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately \( 9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2 \) on Earth),
- \( h \) is the height of the skateboarder above the chosen reference point.
As the skateboarder moves up the ramp, their height \( h \) increases, and so does their potential energy. At the highest point of the ramp, the potential energy is at a maximum.
Conversely, as the skateboarder descends the ramp, \( h \) decreases, and thus the potential energy decreases, converting into kinetic energy (KE), which can be calculated using the formula:
\[ KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 \]
Where \( v \) is the velocity of the skateboarder.
In summary, the potential energy of the skateboarder is at its maximum at the highest point of the U-shaped ramp and decreases as they travel downward, converting to kinetic energy.
\[ PE = mgh \]
Where:
- \( PE \) is the potential energy,
- \( m \) is the mass of the skateboarder,
- \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately \( 9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2 \) on Earth),
- \( h \) is the height of the skateboarder above the chosen reference point.
As the skateboarder moves up the ramp, their height \( h \) increases, and so does their potential energy. At the highest point of the ramp, the potential energy is at a maximum.
Conversely, as the skateboarder descends the ramp, \( h \) decreases, and thus the potential energy decreases, converting into kinetic energy (KE), which can be calculated using the formula:
\[ KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 \]
Where \( v \) is the velocity of the skateboarder.
In summary, the potential energy of the skateboarder is at its maximum at the highest point of the U-shaped ramp and decreases as they travel downward, converting to kinetic energy.
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