Physics 210 Problems - My Solutions

Dr. Hulan E. Jack Jr.

Chapter 5 P25  
Serway, Faughn and Vuille: College Physics 8th Edition , Thomson Brooks/Cole, Vol I(ISBN #) 978-049511374-3

THE PROBLEM STATEMENT

Chapter 5 P25 . A daredevil on a motorcycle

leaves the end of a ramp with a speed of 35.0
m/s as in Figure P5.25. If his speed is 33.0 m/s
when he reaches the peak of the path, what is
the maximum height that he reaches? Ignore
friction and air resistance.

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 Physics 210 Problems - My Solutions
Dr. Hulan E. Jack Jr.

Chapter 5 P25 . A daredevil on a motorcycle leaves the

end of a ramp with a speed of 35.0 m/s as in Figure
P5.25. If his speed is 33.0 m/s when he reaches the peak of
the path, what is the maximum height that he reaches?
Ignore friction and air resistance.

Basic Solution (Including BRAINSTORMING-Definitions, concepts , principles and Discussion)

The figure shows the correction for the figure

in the text if “leaves the end of a ramp with a
speed of 35.0 m/s “ and not from the bottom
level shown. h
end of ramp
Given: vinitial = 35.0 m/s, vfinal = 33.0 m/s .
Find: h .

Principle:
Conservation of Energy
corrected height h
End of ramp At maximum height
KEinitial + PEinitial = KEfinal + PEfinal

½ mvinitial2 + 0 = ½ mvfinal2 + mgh; PEinitial = 0 because at bottom.

m(½ vinitial2 + 0) = m( ½ vfinal2 + gh);

½ vinitial2 + 0 = ½ vfinal2 + gh; factor m from both sides and cancel.

½ vinitial2 + 0 = ½ vfinal2 + gh;

So
h= ½ (vinitial2 - vfinal2 ) /g

= 0.5([35.0m/s]2 – [33.0m/s]2)/9.8m/s2 = 0.5( [1.225x103 - 1.089x103 ] (ms/)2)/9.8m/s2

= 0.5(1.360x102 m2/s2 ) / 9.8m/s2 = 6.94 m.

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