Physics (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1118486897
ISBN 13: 978-1-11848-689-4

Chapter 6 - Work and Energy - Problems - Page 168: 47

Answer

$v_0=27m/s$

Work Step by Step

As the trailer goes upward along the ramp, its KE decreases while PE increases. From the principle of energy conservation, we have $$\Delta KE = -\Delta PE$$ $$\frac{1}{2}m\Delta v^2=-mg\Delta h$$ $$\frac{1}{2} (v_f^2-v_0^2)=-g\Delta h$$ The trailer comes to a stop eventually, so $v_f=0$. To find its initial speed, $v_0$, we need to find how much above the starting point the semitrailer has gone up, or $\Delta h$. As the figure below illustrates, $$\Delta h=154\sin14=37.26m$$ Therefore, $$\frac{1}{2} (0-v_0^2)=-9.8\times37.26=-365.148$$ $$v_0=27m/s$$
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