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Ch 06: Work & Kinetic Energy
Chapter 6, Problem 6

You throw a 3.00-N rock vertically into the air from ground level. You observe that when it is 15.0 m above the ground, it is traveling at 25.0 m/s upward. Use the work–energy theorem to find (b) its maximum height.

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Identify the initial kinetic energy (KE) and potential energy (PE) of the rock when it is 15.0 m above the ground. Use the formula for kinetic energy, KE = \(\frac{1}{2}mv^2\), where \(m\) is the mass and \(v\) is the velocity. For potential energy, use PE = mgh, where \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s^2) and \(h\) is the height above the ground.
Calculate the mass of the rock using the weight given (Weight = mg). Rearrange the formula to find mass, \(m = \frac{Weight}{g}\).
Substitute the mass and the velocity into the kinetic energy formula to find the initial kinetic energy at 15.0 m. Also, substitute the mass, gravity, and height into the potential energy formula to find the initial potential energy at 15.0 m.
Apply the work-energy theorem, which states that the total mechanical energy (sum of kinetic and potential energy) at one point is equal to the total mechanical energy at another point, assuming no non-conservative work is done (like air resistance). Set the total mechanical energy at 15.0 m equal to the total mechanical energy at the maximum height, where the kinetic energy will be zero (since the rock stops momentarily at the maximum height).
Solve for the maximum height \(h_{max}\) by setting the kinetic energy at the maximum height to zero and using the conservation of mechanical energy equation: \(KE_{initial} + PE_{initial} = PE_{max}\). Rearrange to find \(h_{max}\).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Work-Energy Theorem

The work-energy theorem states that the work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy. In this context, the work done by the net force acting on the rock as it moves upward will result in a change in its kinetic energy, allowing us to relate the initial and final states of the rock's motion.
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Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion, calculated using the formula KE = 1/2 mv², where m is the mass and v is the velocity. In this problem, the rock's kinetic energy at 15.0 m can be determined using its upward velocity of 25.0 m/s, which will be essential for calculating the maximum height.
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Potential Energy

Potential energy, specifically gravitational potential energy, is the energy stored in an object due to its height above a reference point, calculated as PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is height. At the maximum height, the rock's kinetic energy will be converted into potential energy, allowing us to find that height using the work-energy theorem.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
You throw a 3.00-N rock vertically into the air from ground level. You observe that when it is 15.0 m above the ground, it is traveling at 25.0 m/s upward. Use the work–energy theorem to find (a) the rock's speed just as it left the ground
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Textbook Question
A factory worker pushes a 30.0-kg crate a distance of 4.5 m along a level floor at constant velocity by pushing horizontally on it. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the crate and the floor is 0.25. (e) What is the total work done on the crate?
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Textbook Question
A 1.50-kg book is sliding along a rough horizontal surface. At point A it is moving at 3.21 m/s, and at point B it has slowed to 1.25 m/s. (a) How much work was done on the book between A and B?
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Textbook Question
A 20.0-kg rock is sliding on a rough, horizontal surface at 8.00 m/s and eventually stops due to friction. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the rock and the surface is 0.200. What average power is produced by friction as the rock stops?
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Textbook Question
A surgeon is using material from a donated heart to repair a patient's damaged aorta and needs to know the elastic characteristics of this aortal material. Tests performed on a 16.0-cm strip of the donated aorta reveal that it stretches 3.75 cm when a 1.50-N pull is exerted on it. (a) What is the force constant of this strip of aortal material?
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Textbook Question
A surgeon is using material from a donated heart to repair a patient's damaged aorta and needs to know the elastic characteristics of this aortal material. Tests performed on a 16.0-cm strip of the donated aorta reveal that it stretches 3.75 cm when a 1.50-N pull is exerted on it. (b) If the maximum distance it will be able to stretch when it replaces the aorta in the damaged heart is 1.14 cm, what is the greatest force it will be able to exert there?
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