15. Calculate the amount of gravitational potential energy at the top of one hill and at the bottom of one valley. The mass of the coaster is 500 kg. The height from the hill to the valley is 59.6 m. Use 9.81 m/s^2 as the acceleration due to gravity. Record your calculations in joules. (Hint: Gravitational PE = mgh)
2 points
292.338 m/s^2
3037 J
82.3 kg
292,338 J
First, calculate the gravitational potential energy at the top of the hill:
Gravitational PE = mgh
Gravitational PE = 500 kg * 9.81 m/s^2 * 59.6 m
Gravitational PE = 292,338 J
Next, calculate the gravitational potential energy at the bottom of the valley:
Gravitational PE = mgh
Gravitational PE = 500 kg * 9.81 m/s^2 * 0 m (height at the bottom of the valley is 0)
Gravitational PE = 0 J
Therefore, the amount of gravitational potential energy at the top of the hill is 292,338 J, and at the bottom of the valley, it is 0 J.