Mathematics 9709 · AS & A Level · Energy, work and power
Energy, work and power — practice question
A roller-coaster car, passengers included, has a mass of $840\,\text{kg}$. The ride contains a stretch in which the car goes up a straight ramp of length $8\,\text{m}$ set at $30^\circ$ above the horizontal. It then drops straight away down a further ramp of length $10\,\text{m}$ set at $20^\circ$ below the horizontal. A resistance force of $640\,\text{N}$ acts on the car all the way through the motion.
(i)[2]
Determine the total work done against the resistance force while the car travels up the first ramp and down the second ramp.
(ii)[4]
At the bottom of the first ramp, the car's speed is $14\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. Use an energy approach to determine the speed of the car when it arrives at the bottom of the second ramp.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 6-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “Apply work done $= Fd$ using $640 \times 18$” …