1. When the car is at the top of the hill, what form(s) does its energy take? Write down an expression for the total energy of a car at the top of a hill.
2. Now imagine that the car is rolling down the same hill and is just reaching the bottom. What form(s) does its energy take? Write down an expression for the total energy of the car.
3. What can you say about the values of the car's energy at the top and bottom of the hill? Write an equation relating your answers for questions 1 and 2.
4. Assume that the car's acceleration is constant. Write an equation relating the magnitude of the acceleration and the distance through which the car accelerates.
5. Use your answers to questions 3 and 4 to find the magnitude of the car's acceleration.
PREDICTION
Write down an expression for the magnitude of the acceleration of a car accelerating under the influence of gravity down a hill at a given angle of steepness.