Can someone help me with a physics problem?

Azndude51

Platinum Member
Sep 26, 2004
2,842
4
81
In the physics laboratory, a glider is released from rest on a frictionless air track inclined at an angle similar to the one shown in the figure below . If the glider has gained a speed of 24 cm/s in traveling 45 cm from the starting point, what was the angle of inclination of the track?

Figure



What equation would I use to solve this?
 

dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
81
you can use the equation for kinetic energy and gravitational potential to get the delta height, with that and the hypotenuous you can get the angle
 

bobert

Senior member
Dec 6, 2004
505
0
0
Originally posted by: dighn
you can use the equation for kinetic energy and gravitational potential to get the delta height, with that and the hypotenuous you can get the angle

that should do it.
Use COE equation
Ug = K
mgy = (1/2)m v^2
mass cancels
solve for y and you can solve for theta using trig

be sure to convert your cm to m