Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy

Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy — practice question

The diagram depicts a barrel hanging from a frictionless pulley fitted to a building. The rope that supports the barrel passes over the pulley and is fastened to a stake at the foot of the building. A man is standing near the stake. The underside of the barrel is $18\,\text{m}$ above the man’s head. The mass of the barrel is $120\,\text{kg}$ and the mass of the man is $80\,\text{kg}$. After untying the rope from the stake, the man holds onto it and is pulled upwards as the barrel descends. What is the man’s upward speed when his head is level with the bottom of the barrel? (Use $g = 10\,\text{m s}^{-2}$.)

  • A$6\,\text{m s}^{-1}$
  • B$8\,\text{m s}^{-1}$
  • C$13\,\text{m s}^{-1}$
  • D$19\,\text{m s}^{-1}$

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 1-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme.

  • Full mark scheme, point by point
  • Step-by-step worked solution
  • Write your answer & get it marked instantly by AI