Question

The drawing shows two frictionless inclines that begin at ground level (h = 0 m) and slope upward at the same angle θ. One track is longer than the other, however. Identical blocks are projected up each track with the same initial speed v0. On the longer track the block slides upward until it reaches a maximum height H above the ground. On the shorter track the block slides upward, flies off the end of the track at a height H1 above the ground, and then follows the familiar parabolic trajectory of projectile motion. At the highest point of this trajectory, the block is a height H2 above the end of the track. The initial total mechanical energy of each block is the same and is all kinetic energy. The initial speed of each block is v0 = 7.95 m/s, and each incline slopes upward at an angle of θ = 50.0°. The block on the shorter track leaves the track at a height of H1 = 1.25 m above the ground. Find (a) the height H for the block on the longer track and (b) the total height H1 + H2 for the block on the shorter track.The drawing shows two frictionless inclines that begin at ground level (h = 0 m) and slope upward at the same angle θ. One track is longer than the other, however. Identical blocks are projected up each track with the same initial speed v0. On the longer track the block slides upward until it reaches a maximum height H above the ground. On the shorter track the block slides upward, flies off the end of the track at a height H1 above the ground, and then follows the familiar parabolic trajectory of projectile motion. At the highest point of this trajectory, the block is a height H2 above the end of the track. The initial total mechanical energy of each block is the same and is all kinetic energy. The initial speed of each block is v0 = 7.95 m/s, and each incline slopes upward at an angle of θ = 50.0°. The block on the shorter track leaves the track at a height of H1 = 1.25 m above the ground. Find (a) the height H for the block on the longer track and (b) the total height H1 + H2 for the block on the shorter track.The drawing shows two frictionless inclines that begin at ground level (h = 0 m) and slope upward at the same angle θ. One track is longer than the other, however. Identical blocks are projected up each track with the same initial speed v0. On the longer track the block slides upward until it reaches a maximum height H above the ground. On the shorter track the block slides upward, flies off the end of the track at a height H1 above the ground, and then follows the familiar parabolic trajectory of projectile motion. At the highest point of this trajectory, the block is a height H2 above the end of the track. The initial total mechanical energy of each block is the same and is all kinetic energy. The initial speed of each block is v0 = 7.95 m/s, and each incline slopes upward at an angle of θ = 50.0°. The block on the shorter track leaves the track at a height of H1 = 1.25 m above the ground. Find (a) the height H for the block on the longer track and (b) the total height H1 + H2 for the block on the shorter track.The drawing shows two frictionless inclines that begin at ground level (h = 0 m) and slope upward at the same angle θ. One track is longer than the other, however. Identical blocks are projected up each track with the same initial speed v0. On the longer track the block slides upward until it reaches a maximum height H above the ground. On the shorter track the block slides upward, flies off the end of the track at a height H1 above the ground, and then follows the familiar parabolic trajectory of projectile motion. At the highest point of this trajectory, the block is a height H2 above the end of the track. The initial total mechanical energy of each block is the same and is all kinetic energy. The initial speed of each block is v0 = 7.95 m/s, and each incline slopes upward at an angle of θ = 50.0°. The block on the shorter track leaves the track at a height of H1 = 1.25 m above the ground. Find (a) the height H for the block on the longer track and (b) the total height H1 + H2 for the block on the shorter track.

Answer 1

(a)

apply conservation of energy

mgH = 1/2mv²

H = v² / 2g

H = 7.95² / 2 * 9.8

H = 3.224 m ( height H for the block on the longer track)

___________________

(b)

first, we need to find the velocity at which block leaves the track

use kinematics

v = sqrt ( v_o² - 2gH1)

v = sqrt ( 7.95² - 2 * 9.8 * 1.25)

v = 6.221 m/s

Now, use conservation of energy

1/2mv_f² + mg ( H1 + H2) = 1/2mv² + mgH1

solve for H1 + H2, we get

H1 + H2 = v² + 2gH1 - v_f ² / (2g)

H1 + H2 = 6.221² + 2 * 9.8 * 1.25 -  (6.221 cos 50)² / 2 * 9.8

H1 + H2 = 2.41 m