A Body with a mass of 150kg is located at a height of 45 m. If allowed to fell freely to the ground. What will be its velocity on impact?

KE= 1/2*m*v^2
PE= m*g*h
1/2*m*v^2= m*g*h
1/2*150kg*45m*v^2= 150kg*9.81*45m
3375* v^2= 66217.5
3375*v^2/3375= 66217.5/3375
v^2= 19.62m/s
Is this done correctly?

2 answers

There are a lot more steps than you need.

V = sqrt(2 g h)
Forget about the mass.
I do not agree with your V^2 number. You have 45 meter height terms on both sides of your equation. That is wrong.
You have to use both potential energy and kinetic energy formulas since they are mutually convertible.

potential energy= mass(150) x gravity(9.81) x height(45m)
=66,217.5

plug that number into the following equation...

ke= 1/2 x mass x velocity^2

*remember pe = ke

66,217.5= 1/2 x 150 x v^2
132435=150 x v^2
882.9=v^2
29.713=v

the velocity will be 29.71 when the rock hits the floor. Utilize both formulas :)