Question

In the winter activity of tubing, riders slide down snow covered slopes while sitting on large inflated rubber tubes. To get to the top of the slope, a rider and his tube, with a total mass of 80 kg , are pulled at a constant speed by a tow rope that maintains a constant tension of 370 N . How much thermal energy is created in the slope and the tube during the ascent of a 30-m-high, 120-m-long slope?

Answer 1

Given is:-

Total mass m = 80 kg

Tension in the rope T = 370 N

Height h = 30 m

length l = 120 m

Now,

The change in the potential energy will be

APE = mgh

APE = (80kg (9.8m/s) (30m)

which gives u s

APE = 23520J

Now,

the work done by the tow rope is

W = F(d)

or

W = (370N) (120m)

which gives us

W = 44400

Therefore the thermal energy created in the slope is given by

Ethermal = W - APE

thus

Ethermal = 44400J – 23520J

which gives us

Ethermal = 20880J

This is the required thermal energy created in the slope during ascent