NOTE: The following question(s) refer(s) to the Cyclone, the famous roller coaster ride at Coney Island, shown in the sketch. Assume no friction.

-Refer to Figure 5-6. How fast must the coaster be moving at P in order to coast to a stop at Q?
A) 9.8 m/s
B) 0.98 Km/s
C) 31 m/s
D) 0.49 Km/s
E) 22 m/s

Question

NOTE: The following question(s) refer(s) to the Cyclone, the famous roller coaster ride at Coney Island, shown in the sketch. Assume no friction.
 
-Refer to Figure 5-6. How fast must the coaster be moving at P in order to coast to a stop at Q?
A) 9.8 m/s 
B) 0.98 Km/s 
C) 31 m/s 
D) 0.49 Km/s 
E) 22 m/s

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To coast to a stop at Q, the coaster must have enough kinetic energy at P to convert into potential energy at the height of Q. Using the principle of conservation of energy, the initial kinetic energy at P equals the potential energy at Q. The speed can be found using the formula for kinetic energy (1/2 mv^2) and potential energy (mgh), solving for v.

NOTE: the Following Question(s) Refer(s) to the Cyclone, the Famous