EASY
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT
Earn 100

A roller-coaster car has mass 100 kg. It carries two passengers, each of mass between 50 kg and 80 kg. The car becomes detached from the drive chain and continues to travel along the ride with no drive force and no braking force. The car comes to instantaneous rest at the highest point of the ride and then descends under gravity to reach the lowest point of the ride. The highest point is 12 m vertically above the lowest point. The car travels 100 m along the track while descending through 12 m. When the car passes through the lowest point it has speed 15 m s-1.

Show that the average frictional force is less than 20 N.

Important Questions on The Work-Energy Principle and Power

EASY
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

A roller-coaster car has mass 100 kg. It carries two passengers, each of mass between 50 kg and 80 kg. The car becomes detached from the drive chain and continues to travel along the ride with no drive force and no braking force. The car comes to instantaneous rest at the highest point of the ride and then descends under gravity to reach the lowest point of the ride. The highest point is 12 m vertically above the lowest point. The car travels 100 m along the track while descending through 12 m. When the car passes through the lowest point it has speed 15 m s-1.

If no other non-gravitational resistances act, show that the average frictional force must be at least 15 N.

EASY
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

A ball, of mass 1 kg, moves in an arc of a vertical circle of radius 1 m by rotating on the end of a light rod. Air resistance can be ignored. Initially the rod hangs vertically. The ball is then given an initial horizontal speed of v m s-1. It travels in a circular arc through an angle θ.

Find the gain in the gravitational potential energy of the ball in rising to θ=120°. (Use g=10 m s-2)

EASY
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

A ball, of mass 1 kg, moves in an arc of a vertical circle of radius 1 m by rotating on the end of a light rod. Air resistance can be ignored. Initially the rod hangs vertically. The ball is then given an initial horizontal speed of v m s-1. It travels in a circular arc through an angle θ.

Show that the speed of the ball at this position is v2-30 ms-1. (Use: g=10 m s-2)

MEDIUM
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

A ball, of mass 1 kg, moves in an arc of a vertical circle of radius 1 m by rotating on the end of a light rod. Air resistance can be ignored. Initially the rod hangs vertically. The ball is then given an initial horizontal speed of v m s-1. It travels in a circular arc through an angle θ.

In the first case to be considered, v=8. Find the speed of the ball when θ=120°. (Use: g=10 m s-2)

MEDIUM
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

A ball, of mass 1 kg, moves in an arc of a vertical circle of radius 1 m by rotating on the end of a light rod. Air resistance can be ignored. Initially the rod hangs vertically. The ball is then given an initial horizontal speed of v m s-1. It travels in a circular arc through an angle θ. Now the ball comes to rest when θ=120°. What was its initial speed, v? (Use: g=10 m s-2)

HARD
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

A ball, of mass 1 kg, moves in an arc of a vertical circle of radius 1 m by rotating on the end of a light rod. Air resistance can be ignored. Initially the rod hangs vertically. The ball is then given an initial horizontal speed of v m s-1. It travels in a circular arc through an angle θ. Now consider, v=3.5. What is the value of θ when the ball comes to instantaneous rest?

MEDIUM
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

A ball, of mass 1 kg, moves in an arc of a vertical circle of radius 1 m by rotating on the end of a light rod. Air resistance can be ignored. Initially the rod hangs vertically. The ball is then given an initial horizontal speed of v m s-1. It travels in a circular arc through an angle θ.

In the final case to be considered, the ball is just able to make a complete circle (so its speed at the top of the circular path is 0 ms-1). What was its initial speed, v? (Use: g=10 m s-2)

EASY
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT
A parcel of mass3 kg slides 3.5 m down a smooth slope inclined at 20° to the horizontal. When it reaches the bottom of the slope it has speed 8 m s-1. Find the speed of the parcel at the top of the slope. (Use: g=10 m s-2)