In the winter activity of tubing, riders slide down snow covered slopes while sitting on large inflated rubber tubes. To get to the top of the slope, a rider and his tube, with a total mass of 70 kg, are pulled at a constant speed by a tow rope that maintains a constant tension of 350 N. Required:
How much thermal energy is created in the slope and the tube during the ascent of a 30-m-high, 120-m-long slope?

21420 J

Explanation:

Given that:

mass of the rider = 70 kg

the tension of the rope = 350 N

Using the concept of conservation of energy;

Work done = change in the Total energy ( ΔT.E)

where;

Work done (W) = ΔK.E + ΔP.E + ΔThermal Energy

Recall that the man proceeds with a constant speed, thus the change in K.E energy will be zero.

As such:

W  = ΔP.E + ΔThermal Energy

We can now say that:

The thermal energy = W - ΔP.E

here;

W = force × displacement

The thermal energy = (350 × 120) - (70 × 9.8 × 30)

= 42000 - 20580

= 21420 J