For a body sliding down a frictionless slope, the speed at the bottom depends on

Correct answer: B. the vertical height dropped, but not on the angle of the slope

  • A. the length of the slope
  • B. the vertical height dropped, but not on the angle of the slope
  • C. the mass of the body
  • D. the angle only

Explanation

Energy conservation gives half mv squared equal to mgh, so the mass cancels and only the height matters, which means a gentle ramp and a steep one of the same height give the same final speed. The gentle slope simply takes longer. Friction would break this result, since the longer path would then waste more energy.

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About Work-Energy Theorem

The work-energy theorem states that the net work done on an object equals its change in kinetic energy. Questions involve positive and negative work, variable forces and force-displacement graphs, acceleration or deceleration, and the difference between this theorem and conservation of mechanical energy, which also requires attention to potential energy and non-conservative work.

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