6. Figure 9 shows a theme park ride called AquaShute.
Riders of the AquaShute sit on a sled and move down a slide.
i- A light gate and data logger can be used to determine the speed of each rider and sled.
What two measurements are needed to determine the speed of a rider and sled?
[2 marks]
ANSWER
ii- The decrease in gravitational potential energy of one rider on the slide was 8.33 kJ.
The rider moved through a vertical height of 17.0 m. gravitational field strength = 9.8 N/kg.
Calculate the mass of the rider.
[4 marks]
SOLUTION
iii- At the bottom of the slide, all riders and their sleds have approximately the same speed.
Explain why.
[4 marks]
ANSWER
According to the law of conservation of energy, total energy of the system remains the same. Therefore, decrease in gravitational potential energy is equal to increase in kinetic energy.
This shows that final speed depends on gravity and height. Therefore, all riders and their sleds have approximately the same speed at the bottom of slide. The minute difference in speed can be due to variations in friction and resistance.
