Question
Fig. 1.1 shows a box dropped from an aeroplane. The box contains supplies.
A parachute is attached to the box. The parachute is opened when the time is 6.0 s
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The graph in Fig. 1.2 shows the vertical speed of the box as it falls.
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(a) State and explain what happens to the kinetic energy of the box during the first 6.0 s of its descent
(b) State and explain what happens to the gravitational potential energy of the box during the first 6.0 s
(c) (i) Use the graph in Fig. 1.2 to determine the speed of the object when the object is moving with a constant speed.
speed of the object at constant speed = ………………………………………….. m / s
(ii) State the size of the resultant vertical force on the box when it is falling at a constant speed
(d) Use the graph in Fig. 1.2 to determine the distance travelled by the box during the first 6.0 s.
distance travelled in first 6.0 s = …………………………………………….. m
(e) Without calculation, describe how Fig. 1.2 shows that the deceleration of the box is greater
than the acceleration of the box.
Answer/Explanation
Answer:
(a) (kinetic energy / it) increases
because) speed / velocity (of box) increases OR faster
(b) gravitational potential energy) decreases
because) height (of box) decreases
(c) (i) any indication on graph / in text that horizontal section represents steady speed
10 (m / s)
(ii) (resultant vertical force =) zero OR 0 (N)
(d) distance = area under graph OR ½ × b × h
(distance =) ½ × 6.0 × 45
135 (m)
(e) deceleration (line) is steeper OR higher gradient than acceleration (line)
Question
A student drops a ball from a high window.
a) The mass of the ball is 0.12 kg.
Calculate the weight of the ball.
weight = ……………………………………………. N
b) Fig. 3.1 shows the speed of the ball while it is falling. The points S, T, U, V and W are shown on the graph.
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Draw one line from each section of the graph to the correct description of the motion.
One has been drawn for you.
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c) Determine the distance fallen by the ball in section U – V of the graph.
distance = ……………………………………………. m
d) State the distance fallen by the ball in section V – W of the graph.
distance = ……………………………………………. m
Answer/Explanation
Answer:
(a) W = m × g in any form
0.12 × 10
(weight =) 1.2 (N)
(b) Line from T-U to decreasing acceleration
Line from U-V to moving with constant speed
(c) (distance travelled =) area under the graph
2 × 20
40 (m)
(d) 20 OR answer = (c) answer ÷ 2
