FIGURE 8-3
-Swimmers at a water park have a choice of two frictionless water slides (see Fig. 8-3) . Although both slides drop over the same height, h, slide 1 is straight while slide 2 is curved, dropping quickly at first and then leveling out. How does the speed v₁ of a swimmer reaching the end of slide 1 compares with v₂, the speed of a swimmer reaching the end of slide 2?

Question

FIGURE 8-3

-Swimmers at a water park have a choice of two frictionless water slides (see Fig. 8-3) . Although both slides drop over the same height, h, slide 1 is straight while slide 2 is curved, dropping quickly at first and then leveling out. How does the speed v₁ of a swimmer reaching the end of slide 1 compares with v₂, the speed of a swimmer reaching the end of slide 2?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since both slides drop over the same height and are frictionless, the potential energy lost is converted entirely into kinetic energy, resulting in the same final speed for both slides.

FIGURE 8-3 -Swimmers at a Water Park Have a Choice of Two