Mechanics: Work, Energy and Power

Work, Energy and Power: Audio Guided Solution

Problem 16:

Suzie Lavtaski (m=56 kg) is skiing at Bluebird Mountain. She is moving at 16 m/s across the crest of a ski hill located 34 m above ground level at the end of the run.

a. Determine Suzie's kinetic energy.
b. Determine Suzie's potential energy relative to the height of the ground at the end of the run.
c. Determine Suzie's total mechanical energy at the crest of the hill.
d. If no energy is lost or gained between the top of the hill and her initial arrival at the end of the run, then what will be Suzie's total mechanical energy at the end of the run?
e. Determine Suzie's speed as she arrives at the end of the run and prior to braking to a stop.

Audio Guided Solution

Click to show or hide the answer!

Habits of an Effective Problem Solver

  • Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
  • Identify the known and unknown quantities in an organized manner. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity - e.g., vo = 0 m/s; a = 4.2 m/s/s; vf = 22.9 m/s; d = ???.
  • Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
  • Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
  • Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.

Read About It!

Get more information on the topic of Work, Energy and Power at The Physics Classroom Tutorial.

Return to Problem Set

Return to Overview

View Audio Guided Solution for Problem:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32