3.2 Conservation
Skier Examples
Test your knowledge by trying the problems below.
Always start your calculation problems with: Ebefore = Eafter
Example #1:
A skier at the bottom of a hill has 1000J of kinetic energy. After sliding a ways along the flat, the kinetic energy is 200J.
a) With a decreased kinetic energy, what do you know about the skier's velocity?
b) With the skier sliding on a flat surface, is there any change in gravitational potential energy?
c) How much energy was lost due to friction? (Use Ebefore = Eafter).
Try before checking solution.
Example #2:
A skier on a hill has 5000J of kinetic energy and 5000J of potential energy. After sliding down the hill a ways, their potential energy is 3000J.
a) Since they slid "down" the hill, what do you expect for change in potential energy (greater or less)?
b) Assuming that there is no loss due to friction, what would be the kinetic energy at the second position? (Use Ebefore = Eafter)
c) Since there's always "some" friction loss, would the "actual" kinetic energy be less or more then your answer in b)?
Try before checking solution.
