High School

A roller coaster with a potential energy of [tex]$235,200 J$[/tex] sits at the top of a 30 m high hill. What is the mass of the roller coaster?

(Formula: [tex]$PE = mgh$[/tex])

A. 800 kg
B. 7,840 kg
C. 8,000 kg
D. 78,400 kg

Answer :

To find the mass of the roller coaster, we can use the formula for potential energy:

[tex]\[ PE = m \cdot g \cdot h \][/tex]

where:
- [tex]\( PE \)[/tex] is the potential energy (in Joules),
- [tex]\( m \)[/tex] is the mass (in kilograms),
- [tex]\( g \)[/tex] is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately [tex]\( 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \)[/tex] on Earth),
- [tex]\( h \)[/tex] is the height (in meters).

Given:
- Potential energy ([tex]\( PE \)[/tex]) is 235,200 Joules,
- Height ([tex]\( h \)[/tex]) is 30 meters,
- Acceleration due to gravity ([tex]\( g \)[/tex]) is 9.8 m/s².

We need to solve for the mass ([tex]\( m \)[/tex]). Rearranging the formula, we get:

[tex]\[ m = \frac{PE}{g \cdot h} \][/tex]

Plug in the given values:

[tex]\[ m = \frac{235,200}{9.8 \cdot 30} \][/tex]

Calculate the denominator:

[tex]\[ m = \frac{235,200}{294} \][/tex]

Divide to find the mass:

[tex]\[ m = 800 \][/tex]

Therefore, the mass of the roller coaster is 800 kg.