imported>Patrick: Created page with 'Since the blocks are sliding on an inclined plane, we have to compute the heights that each one of them moves. $m_1$ moves down $h = 0.3 \sin(37^{\circ}) = (0.3)(…'$

2011-08-14T17:31:25Z

Created page with 'Since the blocks are sliding on an inclined plane, we have to compute the heights that each one of them moves. <math>m_1</math> moves down <math>h = 0.3 \sin(37^{\circ}) = (0.3)(…'

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Since the blocks are sliding on an inclined plane, we have to compute the heights that each one of them moves. <math>m_1</math> moves down <math>h = 0.3 \sin(37^{\circ}) = (0.3)(0.6) = 0.18 m</math> and <math>m_2</math> moves up <math>h = 0.3 \sin(20^{\circ}) = (0.3)(0.34) = 0.10 m</math>. The change in gravitational potential energy is negative for <math>m_1</math> and positive for <math>m_2</math>.
 
<math>\Delta U = -m_1 g h = -(2)(10)(0.18) = -3.6 J</math>
 
<math>\Delta U = m_2 g h = (3)(10)(0.10) = 3.0 J</math> 

Therefore, the total change in gravitational potential energy is

<math>\Delta U = -3.6 + 3.0 = -0.6 J</math>

Note that in this case the blocks moved spontaneously from rest. As expected, it was found that the total change of the potential energy is negative.

Potential Energy EX 7 - Revision history

imported>Patrick: Created page with 'Since the blocks are sliding on an inclined plane, we have to compute the heights that each one of them moves. m_1 moves down h = 0.3 \sin(37^{\circ}) = (0.3)(…'

imported>Patrick: Created page with 'Since the blocks are sliding on an inclined plane, we have to compute the heights that each one of them moves. $m_1$ moves down $h = 0.3 \sin(37^{\circ}) = (0.3)(…'$