Two frisky otters slide down frictionless hillsides of the same height but different slopes. The slope of the hill of otter 1 is $30 ^ { \circ }$ while the slope of the hill of otter 2 is $60 ^ { \circ }$ If both start from rest, which otter is moving faster when she reaches the bottom of her hill?
A) Otter 1 is moving faster.
B) Otter 2 is moving faster.
C) The heavier otter is moving faster, no matter which hill she used.
D) The otter that took the shorter time is moving faster.
E) Both otters have the same speed at the bottom.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both otters will have the same speed at the bottom because their speeds depend only on the height from which they slide, not on the slope of the hill, according to the conservation of energy principle.

Two Frisky Otters Slide Down Frictionless Hillsides of the Same 30∘30 ^ { \circ }30∘

Two Frisky Otters Slide Down Frictionless Hillsides of the Same $30 ^ { \circ }$