What does acceleration look like on a distance time graph? How does it differ from a speed time graph?

a. i. 3.43 m/s ii. 2.8 m/s

b. The thin-walled cylinder

Explanation:

a. Find translational speed of each cylinder upon reaching the bottom

The potential energy change of each mass = total kinetic energy gain = translational kinetic energy + rotational kinetic energy

So, mgh = 1/2mv² + 1/2Iω² where m = mass of object = 2.0 kg, g =acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s², h = height of incline = 1.2 m, v = translational velocity of object, I = moment of inertia of object and ω = angular speed = v/r where r = radius of object.

i. translational speed of thin-walled cylinder upon reaching the bottom

So, For the thin-walled cylinder, I = mr², we find its translational velocity, v

So, mgh = 1/2mv² + 1/2Iω²

mgh = 1/2mv² + 1/2(mr²)(v/r)²  

mgh = 1/2mv² + 1/2mv²

mgh = mv²

v² = gh

v = √gh

v = √(9.8 m/s² × 1.2 m)

v = √(11.76 m²/s²)

v = 3.43 m/s

ii. translational speed of solid cylinder upon reaching the bottom

So, For the solid cylinder, I = mr²/2, we find its translational velocity, v'

So, mgh = 1/2mv'² + 1/2Iω²

mgh = 1/2mv² + 1/2(mr²/2)(v'/r)²  

mgh = 1/2mv'² + mv'²

mgh = 3mv'²/2

v'² = 2gh/3

v' = √(2gh/3)

v' = √(2 × 9.8 m/s² × 1.2 m/3)

v' = √(23.52 m²/s²/3)

v' = √(7.84 m²/s²)

v' = 2.8 m/s

b. Determine which cylinder has the greatest translational speed upon reaching the bottom.

Since v = 3.43 m/s > v'= 2.8 m/s,

the thin-walled cylinder has the greatest translational speed upon reaching the bottom.