How High Will a Toboggan Go Up an Icy Hill?

  • Thread starter bertoline
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In summary, to find the vertical height that a toboggan will reach before stopping on a frictionless icy hill that rises at a 29.0deg angle, you can use the equations Wtot=K2-K1 and K=1/2mv^2. By finding the horizontal velocity (Vx=12cos(29) = 10.5 m/s) and using vf^2-vi^2=2as, you can solve for the distance traveled on the hill. Then, using this distance as the hypotenuse, you can solve for the vertical height traveled.
  • #1
bertoline
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Homework Statement


At the base of a frictionless icy hill that rises at 29.0deg above the horizontal, a toboggan has a speed of 12.0 m/s toward the hill. How high vertically above the base will it go before stopping?


Homework Equations


Wtot=K2-K1
K=1/2mv^2
K2=1/2mv^2=K1+Wtot


The Attempt at a Solution


Vx=12cos(29) = 10.5 m/s
vf^2-vi^2=2as
0-(10.5)^2=2(-9.8)s
s= 5.625
 
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  • #2
This is how i would do it:
1. draw an fbd of the toboggan
2. use f=ma to solve for a
3. solve for distance traveled on the hill
4. then you make a triangle, with the distance you found in 3) being the hypotenuse, solve for the vertical side, and that's how high it has travelled.
 
  • #3
m vertically above the base



Based on the given information, it can be calculated that the toboggan will travel approximately 5.625 m vertically above the base of the hill before coming to a complete stop. This is derived from the equations of motion, where the initial kinetic energy of the toboggan is equal to the work done by gravity to bring it to a stop at the highest point of the hill. It is important to note that this calculation assumes a frictionless and icy surface, which may not be realistic in real-world scenarios. Factors such as air resistance, surface roughness, and temperature could affect the actual distance traveled by the toboggan. Further experiments and calculations may be needed to accurately determine the height reached by the toboggan in different conditions.
 

Related to How High Will a Toboggan Go Up an Icy Hill?

What is the physics behind speeding up a hill?

Speeding up a hill involves overcoming the force of gravity and friction. As an object moves up a hill, it gains potential energy due to the increase in height. This potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion, as the object speeds up. The amount of potential energy gained depends on the mass of the object and the height of the hill.

How does the slope of the hill affect the speed?

The steeper the slope of the hill, the more potential energy an object gains as it moves up. This means that the object will have a higher speed at the top of the hill compared to a shallower slope. This is because the steeper slope provides a greater change in height, resulting in a greater increase in potential energy.

What role does the mass of the object play in speeding up a hill?

The mass of an object affects its acceleration, which in turn affects its speed. Heavier objects require more force to overcome the force of gravity and friction, so they will accelerate slower and have a lower speed compared to lighter objects on the same hill. However, once an object reaches the bottom of the hill, its speed will be the same regardless of its mass due to the conservation of energy.

How can we increase the speed of an object going up a hill?

To increase the speed of an object going up a hill, we can either decrease its mass or increase the force applied to it. A lighter object will require less force to accelerate, while a greater force will help overcome the force of gravity and friction. Additionally, reducing friction between the object and the surface of the hill can also help increase its speed.

What factors can slow down an object going up a hill?

In addition to the force of gravity and friction, external factors such as air resistance and surface conditions can also slow down an object going up a hill. Air resistance increases with speed, so a higher speed will result in more resistance. Rough or uneven surfaces may also increase friction, making it more difficult for an object to move up the hill and slowing down its speed.

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