A cyclist is moving up a slope that has a constant gradient. The cyclist takes 8.0 s to climb the slope.

Q#13 (Past Exam Paper – June 2010 Paper 23 Q3)

A cyclist is moving up a slope that has a constant gradient. The cyclist takes 8.0 s to climb the slope.
The variation with time of the speed of the cyclist is shown in Fig. 3.1.


Fig. 3.1

(a) Use Fig. 3.1 to determine the total distance moved up the slope. [3]


(b) The bicycle and cyclist have a combined mass of 92 kg.
The vertical height through which the cyclist moves is 1.3 m.

(i) For the movement of the bicycle and cyclist between = 0 and = 8.0 s,
1. use Fig. 3.1 to calculate the change in kinetic energy, [2]
2. calculate the change in gravitational potential energy. [2]

(ii) The cyclist pedals continuously so that the useful power delivered to the bicycle
is 75 W.
Calculate the useful work done by the cyclist climbing up the slope. [2]


(c) Some energy is used in overcoming frictional forces.
(i) Use your answers in (b) to show that the total energy converted in overcoming
frictional forces is approximately 670 J. [1]

(ii) Determine the average magnitude of the frictional forces. [1]


(d) Suggest why the magnitude of the total resistive force would not be constant. [2]



Solution:
(a)
{Distance travelled is given by the area under the graph.}

evidence of use of area below the line          
distance = 39 m (allow ±0.5 m)                       


(b)
(i)
1.
EK = ½ mv2  
 
{At time t = 0 s, speed = 6 m/s and at time t = 8 s, speed = 3 m/s}

Δ EK = ½ × 92 × (62 – 32)

Δ EK = 1240 J

2.
EP = mgh       

{Vertical height = 1.3 m}

Δ EP = 92 × 9.8 × 1.3

Δ EP = 1170 J

(ii)
{Power = Energy / time

Energy = Power × time}

E = Pt                    
     
E = 75 × 8

E = 600 J


(c)
(i)
{Initially, the cyclist had kinetic energy. The kinetic energy decreases with time as the speed decreases.

Change in KE = 1240 J          (as calculated in (b)(i)1.)

The cyclist pedals and does work. So, in addition to the KE the cyclist also has energy from pedaling.

Work done = 600 J                 (as calculated in (b)(ii))

As the cyclist rises, some of its energy is converted in GPE.

Change in GPE = 1170 J       (as calculated in (b)(i)2.)

Finally, some energy is used to overcome frictional forces. Let this energy be E.}

{From the conservation of energy.,

Energy possessed by cyclist = Energy converted into other forms

Change in KE + Work done = Change in GPE + E

1240 + 600 = 1170 + E}

energy E = (1240 + 600) – 1170

energy E = 670 J                   

(ii)
{Work done against friction = Frictional force × distance moved (along slope)}

force = 670 / 39 = 17 N


(d)
Frictional forces include air resistance.                     

Air resistance decreases with decrease of speed.

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