ENERGY CONSERVATION TIPERs (SOLUTIONS)

SWHS Physics

1. The figures below show systems containing a block attached to the end of a spring and resting on a frictionless
surface. In each system, the springs are stretched by a student to the right by a distance given in the figure. The mass
and force constant are also given for each system.

A B C
0.4 m stretch 0.2 m stretch 0.2 m stretch
5 N/m 5 N/m 4 N/m
1 kg 2 kg 5 kg

D E F
0.5 m stretch 0.5 m stretch 0.5 m stretch
1 N/m 4 N/m 1 N/m
1 kg 4 kg 5 kg

Rank these systems on the basis of the potential energy of the stretched spring-block systems.
Greatest 1 _______ 2 _______ 3 _______ 4 _______ 5 _______ 6 _______ Least
OR, the potential energy of the spring-block systems will be the same. ___
OR, the potential energy of the spring-block systems will be zero for ALL these systems. ___
OR, We cannot determine the ranking for the potential energy of the spring-block systems. ___
Explain your reasoning.

Answer: E > A > D = F > B > C

The work done is equal to the energy stored in the block-spring system which is 0.5 kx2 and is independent of the mass
m of the block.
2. In each case below, an arrow has been shot from the top of a building either up at a 45o angle, straight out
horizontally, or down at a 45o angle. All arrows are identical and are shot at the same speed, and the heights of the
buildings and the direction the arrows are shot are given. Ignore air resistance.

A B C D E F

45°
45°
45°
45°
45°

40 m 30 m 50 m 30 m 40 m 50 m

Rank these arrows, from greatest to least, on the basis of their speeds just before they hit the ground below.
Greatest 1 _______ 2 _______ 3 _______ 4 _______ 5 _______ 6 _______ Least
OR, The speeds are the same for ALL SIX arrows. ___
OR, The speeds are zero for ALL SIX arrows. ___
OR, We cannot determine the ranking for the speeds of the arrows. ___
Please explain your reasoning.

Answer: F = C > A = E > B = D; apply conservation of energy. All have the same kinetic energy at the start because
they all are fired at the same speed. All arrows have zero potential energy at end of their flight, so those with
greatest potential energy at start will have greatest kinetic energy and speed at bottom.
 3. In each case below, a toboggan starts from rest and slides without friction down a snowy hill. The toboggans are all
identical, and the starting heights (vertical distance above the flat bottom of the incline) and angles of the hills are
given.

A 15 m B 15 m
28° 22°

C 10 m
D 15 m
22° 18°

E 12 m F 28° 10 m
18°

Rank these situations from greatest to least on the basis of the speed of the toboggan at the bottom of the incline.
Greatest 1 _______ 2 _______ 3 _______ 4 _______ 5 _______ 6 _______ Least
OR, The speed is the same for ALL SIX toboggans. ___
OR, The speed is zero for ALL SIX toboggans. ___
OR, We cannot determine the ranking for the speed of these toboggans. ___
Please explain your reasoning.

Answer: A = B = D > E > C = F; the speeds depend on the starting height only. The initial potential energy of the
toboggan will be proportional to the starting height, and without friction all of this potential energy will be
converted into kinetic energy at the bottom.
 Model Rockets—Kinetic Energy 63

The eight figures below depict eight model rockets that have just had their engines turned off. All of the
rockets are aimed straight up, but their speeds differ. All of the rockets are the same size and shape, but
they carry different loads, so their masses differ. The mass and speed for each rocket is given in each
figure. (In this situation we are going to ignore any effect air resistance may have on the rockets.) At the
instant when the engines are turned off, the rockets are all at the same height.

Rank these model rockets from greatest to least on the basis of the kinetic energy they have at the top of
their flights.

A B C 20 m/s D 20 m/s
30 m/s 40 m/s

700 g 500 g 600 g 700 g

E F G H 20 m/s
30 m/s 40 m/s 30 m/s

400 g 600 g 600 g 500 g

Greatest 1_____ 2_____ 3_____ 4_____ 5_____ 6_____ 7_____ 8______ Least

Or, all rockets have the same kinetic energy.___________

Please carefully explain your reasoning.

How sure were you of your ranking? (circle one)

Basically Guessed Sure Very Sure
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

63 T. O’Kuma, D. Maloney
Physics Ranking Tasks 67 Mechanics