an object with kinetic energy E on a horizontal plane then climbs on a smooth inclined plane. When on the inclined plane the speed of the object is half of that it possessed on the horizontal plane, what is the potential energy of the object?
Hi! how do we solve?
Answer is Ep = 3/4 E
Hey Juliette!
The kinetic energy initial is:
mass = 1kg
velocity = 1m/s
KE = 0.5J
The kinetic energy final is:
mass = 1kg
velocity = 0.5m/s
KE = 0.125J
Thus, we have “lost” 3/4 of our kinetic energy, which must have converted to potential energy, as we are rising on an inclined plane.
Hope this makes sense:)