FIGURE 8-2
-Swimmers at a water park have a choice of two frictionless water slides (see Figure 8-2) . 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 8-2

-Swimmers at a water park have a choice of two frictionless water slides (see Figure 8-2) . 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 are frictionless and drop over the same height, the potential energy lost is the same for both slides, resulting in the same kinetic energy and thus the same speed at the bottom.

FIGURE 8-2 -Swimmers at a Water Park Have a Choice of Two