A 1500 kg car is driven over the edge of an 38.0 m high cliff during a movie stunt.
a. What is the potential energy of the car at the top of the cliff?
b. What is the car’s kinetic energy just before it hits the ground at the base of the cliff?
c. How fast will the car be moving just before it hits the ground?
a. The potential energy of the car at the top of the cliff can be calculated using the formula:
Potential energy = mass x acceleration due to gravity x height
mass = 1500 kg
acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s^2
height = 38.0 m
Potential energy = 1500 kg x 9.8 m/s^2 x 38.0 m
Potential energy = 558,600 Joules
b. The kinetic energy of the car just before it hits the ground can be calculated using the formula:
Kinetic energy = (1/2) x mass x velocity^2
mass = 1500 kg
velocity is not given
To find the velocity, we need to use the principle of conservation of energy. The potential energy at the top of the cliff is equal to the kinetic energy just before it hits the ground. So we can equate the two equations:
Potential energy = Kinetic energy
558,600 Joules = (1/2) x 1500 kg x velocity^2
Solving for velocity:
velocity^2 = (2 x 558,600 Joules) / 1500 kg
velocity^2 = 745.2 Joules / kg
velocity^2 = 496.8 m^2/s^2
velocity ≈ 22.3 m/s
c. Therefore, the car will be moving at a speed of approximately 22.3 m/s just before it hits the ground.