Use the exact values you enter to make later calculations. Theset up in the diagram below relates to a classic inclined planeproblem that is typically solved using free body diagrams andNewton's Second Law of Motion. You will work through this inclinedplane problem using Conservation of Mechanical Energy instead. Youmay ignore friction and assume that the system is initially atrest.
(a) If m1 falls down 3.0 m, what is the change in potentialenergy ?U1 of m1? Leave your answer in terms of m1 and g. Note: Apositive answer indicates an increase in potential energy and anegative answer indicates a decrease in potential energy. (Assumeany numerical value for height is in meters, but do not enterunits.) ?U1 =
(b) Notice that the string connecting m1 and m2 does not stretchbut remains taut. What is the corresponding change in potentialenergy ?U2 of m2? Leave your answer in terms of m2, g, and ?. Note:A positive answer indicates an increase in potential energy and anegative answer indicates a decrease in potential energy. (Assumeany numerical value for height is in meters, but do not enterunits.) ?U2 =
(c) Use m1 = 6 kg, m2 = 7 kg, and ? = 25°. Calculate the totalchange in potential energy ?Usystem of the system. Note: A positiveanswer indicates an increase in potential energy and a negativeanswer indicates a decrease in potential energy. ?Usystem =
(d) What is the total change in kinetic energy ?Ksystem of thesystem. Note: A positive answer indicates an increase in kineticenergy and a negative answer indicates a decrease in kineticenergy. ?Ksystem =
(e) What is the final velocity v of the system? v =
(f) What are the advantages in using Conservation of Energy tosolve this problem instead of Newton's Second Law of Motion?(Select all that apply.) Conservation of Energy involves onlyscalar quantities. Conservation of Energy method does not requirefree body diagrams showing the force vectors. Using Conservation ofEnergy is simpler. Both methods have the same level of complexity.We have to find the components of the force vectors regardless ofthe method used.