A cyclist is coasting at 15 m/s when she starts down a 450 m long slope that is 30 m high. The cyclist and her bicycle have a combined mass of 70 kg. A steady 12 N drag force due to air resistance acts on her as she coasts all the way to the bottom. What is her speed at the bottom of the slope?

Her speed at the bottom of the slope is 25.665 m/s

Explanation:

Here we have

Initial velocity, v₁= 15 m/s

Final velocity = v₂

The energy balance present in the system can be represented as

Where:

m = Mass of the cyclist = 70 kg

W = work done by the drag force =

Where:

d = Distance traveled = 450 m

Therefore,

and

= 658.714 m²/s²

v₂ = 25.665 m/s

Her speed at the bottom of the slope = 25.665 m/s.

the independent variable, or the one that is intentionally manipulated is the speed.