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GCSE Questions: Forces

Q29. The photo shows a theme park ride called AquaShute.

(a) Riders of the AquaShute sit on a sled and move down a slide.

There is a layer of water between the sled and the slide.

Choose from the sentences below to explain how the layer of water affects the friction between the sled and the slide. Tick your choice.

The friction is decreased.
The friction is increased.  
The friction is not affected.  

[1 mark]

(b) The mass of one rider is 62.5 kg.

The height of the slide is 16.0 m.

If gravitational field strength = 9.8 N/kg, calculate the gravitational potential energy of the rider at the top of the slide.

change in gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × change in height

ΔEGPE = mgΔh

ΔEGPE = 62.5 x 9.8 x 16.0

ΔEGPE = 9800 J

 

 

[3 marks]

(c) At the bottom of the slide the speed of the rider is 12 m/s.

The mass of the rider is 62.5 kg.

Calculate the kinetic energy of the rider at the bottom of the slide.

kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × (speed)2

EK = ½mv2

EK = ½ x 62.5 x 122

EK = 4500 J

[3 marks]

(d) When a rider reaches the bottom of the slide, the sled decelerates and stops. Give two factors that will affect how far the sled will move before it stops.

Any two from:

speed (at bottom of slide)

friction (between sled and ground)

air resistance

mass/weight of rider (and sled)

roughness of surface type

[2 marks]

[9 Marks TOTAL]