A motorcyclist is trying to leap across a canyon by driving horizontally of the cliff that is 70.0 m high at 38.0 m/s. Ignoring air resistance, use energy conservation to find the speed with which the cycle strikes the ground at a height of 35.0m on the other side of the canyon. You do not need to know how wide the canyon is!

Answer 1

net change in energy = 0
(change in PE) + (change in KE) = 0
m g (h - H) + 1/2 m (v^2 - V^2) = 0
where h = 35 m, H = 70 m, V = 38 m/s
Solve for v:
[Notice that the mass, m, cancels in the equation]

Answer 2

v = 46.15 m/s

Answer 3

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