Question

A ride in an amusement park called scream machine swings the riders around a complete vertical circle during the course of the ride.
Identify where on the ride both PE and KE are equal?

• A. Point A
• B. Point B
• C. Point C
• D. Point D
• E. Point E

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Point C

Whole of the potential energy at point E is equal to the kinetic energy at point A.

Hence when KE=PE, the half of the maximum potential energy must exist, which is at a height half of the maximum height, that is, at C.