Incline plane experiment?

Question

If a box is sliding down an inclined plane how would i find the total energy?

Answer 1

Along an inclined plane, the total energy of a box is given by the formula,

Total Energy = :Potential Energy + Kinetic Energy

Potential energy = mgL(sin A)

Kinetic energy = (1/2)mV^2

where

m = mass of the box

g = acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/sec^2 (constant)

L = point on the incline where the box is located (measured from the base of the incline)

A = angle of the inclined plane

V = velocity of the box when it is at a particular "L" along the incline

Another formula that can be used for the Potential Energy is

PE = mgh

where

h = vertical distance (measured from the horizontal plane) where the box is located

and other terms are as previously defined.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

kinetic energy + potential energy

kinetic enegy = 1/2 mass x velocity^2

potential energy = mass x gravity x height