Question

A 70 kg skater stands at the top of a 6 m tall half-pipe.

a) What is the skater's gravitational potential energy at the top of the half-pipe?

b) Assuming conservation of energy, what is the skater's kinetic energy and speed when he is halfway down the side?

c) Again, assuming conservation of energy, what is the skater's kinetic energy and speed when he reaches the bottom of the half-pipe?

d) In reality, the skater loses energy from friction and drag. How much work is done by these forces if the skater only makes it to a height of 4.5 m on the other side of the half-pipe?

Answer 1