Trade height for speed
Energy on a ramp
Watch gravitational potential energy turn into kinetic energy on a frictionless ramp.
Energy on a rampTRY IT YOURSELF
Height4.688 m
Speed2.476 m/s
Kinetic energy6.131 J
Potential energy91.969 J
Teal + amber · follow the changing valuesIdealized physics model
What if you changed…
Try a starting point
Change the ramp angle but keep its height. Does the final speed change?
See the calculation
mgh₀ = mgh + ½mv²
- Total energy = mgh₀ = 2 × 9.81 × 5 = 98.1 J.
- At height 4.69 m, potential energy = 91.97 J. Kinetic energy = 98.1 − 91.97 = 6.13 J.
- Speed = √(2g(h₀ − h)) = 2.48 m/s. Travel time to the bottom = 2.02 s.
What this model assumes
A sliding point mass starts from rest. No friction, air drag, or rotational energy; g = 9.81 m/s².
Keep an eye on this
A real rolling ball also stores rotational kinetic energy, so this sliding-particle model does not predict its exact speed.
Understand the physics ↗A little question. A clearer picture.
Energy on a ramp: common questions
Wondering about the why? Start here.
Why does mass not affect the final speed?
Equating mgh to ½mv² lets mass cancel. Both available potential energy and required kinetic energy grow in proportion to mass.
Where does the energy go if there is friction?
Some mechanical energy is transferred into thermal energy and other forms. This experiment deliberately excludes those losses.