Calculating the Length of an Incline Plane: A Kinematic Approach

In summary, the skier starts on a hill inclined at 15 degrees with a speed of 15m/s at the bottom of the hill. To find the length of the hill, the vector was broken down into components and the Pythagorean theorem was used. However, this may not give an accurate answer and instead the kinematic equations relating constant acceleration, time, and initial and final speeds should be used to find the length and time it takes to reach the end of the hill.
  • #1
baird.lindsay
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Homework Statement


a skier starts on a hills inclined 15 degrees and the speed of the skier on the bottom of the hill is 15m/s
what is the length of the hill? and how long did it take to reach the end of the hill


Homework Equations


gsintheta , a^2+b^2 + c^2
sin=o/h


The Attempt at a Solution


i broke down the vector to components 15sintheta and 15cos theta and use pythagorean thereoum to find the slope ..would that then be the length of the hill? I am not sure how to solve to dind the time to reach the end of the hill. ...
 
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  • #2
You must post your actual steps, not just a rough verbal description. Anyway, it doesn't sound right. You need to be using kinematic equations relating constant acceleration, time, and initial and final speeds. What equations can you quote like that?
 

Related to Calculating the Length of an Incline Plane: A Kinematic Approach

What is an incline plane?

An incline plane is a simple machine that is essentially a flat surface that is at an angle to the ground. It is often used to make it easier to move objects from a lower position to a higher position by reducing the amount of force needed.

How is the length of an incline plane calculated?

The length of an incline plane is typically calculated using the Pythagorean theorem, which states that the square of the hypotenuse (longest side) of a right triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. In this case, the hypotenuse would be the length of the incline plane, and the other two sides would be the height and length of the plane.

What factors affect the length of an incline plane?

The length of an incline plane can be affected by a variety of factors, including the angle of the incline, the force of gravity, and the weight and shape of the object being moved. Additionally, the coefficient of friction between the object and the incline plane can also impact the length.

Why is the length of an incline plane important?

The length of an incline plane is important because it determines the amount of effort and force needed to move an object up the plane. A longer incline plane will require less force, while a shorter incline plane will require more force. This makes it a useful tool for simplifying tasks and reducing the amount of work needed.

How does the length of an incline plane affect its mechanical advantage?

The length of an incline plane is directly related to its mechanical advantage. The longer the incline plane, the greater the mechanical advantage, meaning less effort is needed to move an object up the plane. However, there is a trade-off as a longer incline plane will require more space and may not be practical in all situations.

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