A cyclist freewheels down a hill without pedalling.
The total mass of the cyclist and bicycle is 80 kg. The speed at the top of the hill is 4.0 m/s. The speed at the bottom of the hill is 12 m/s.
The vertical height of the hill is 15 m.
Gravitational field strength (ggg) = 10 N/kg
Calculate the decrease in gravitational potential energy of the cyclist and bicycle.
Calculate the increase in kinetic energy of the cyclist and bicycle.
Calculate the energy dissipated as the cyclist moves down the hill.
Calculate the speed the cyclist would have at the bottom of the hill if no energy were dissipated.
Suggest one reason why the energy dissipated is greater when the cyclist sits upright than when she crouches low over the handlebars.
121 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Physics 3.1 Energy stores and calculations, covering 3.1.1 Gravitational potential energy, 3.1.2 Kinetic energy, and 3.1.3 Energy transfers and conservation of energy. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.