Focus on Concepts, Question 06 A 1650-kg car is traveling at 38.1 m/s. How fast must a 91.0-kg bicycle and rider be traveling to have the same kinetic energy as the car?

162.24 m/s

Explanation:

The kinetic energy of the car is given as:

KE = ½ * m * v²

Where m = mass of car

v = velocity of car

= ½ * 1650 * 38.1²

= 1197578.3 J

For the bicycle to have the same KE, then:

1197578.3 = ½ * M * V²

Where M = Mass of bicycle

V = velocity of bicycle

1197578.3 = ½ * 91 * V²

V² = 1197578.3 / (91 * ½)

V² = 26320.4

V = 162.24 m/s

The bicycle will have to move at 162.24 m/s to have the same Kinetic energy as the car.