Asemi-trailer is coasting downhill along a mountain highway when its brakes fail. the driver pulls onto a runaway truck ramp that is inclined at an angle of 17.0° above the horizontal. the semi-trailer coasts to a stop after traveling 160 m along the ramp. what was the truck's initial speed?

The velocity is 30.279 m/s

Explanation:

Consider the initial speed of the semi-trailer be v

Then, initial kinetic energy =

According to question, the semi-trailer coast along a ramp, which is inclined at an angle of 170, and to a distance of 160m to stop

Change in vertical position == 46.779m

Final potential energy of semitrailer = mgh

Applying principle of conservation of energy,

= mgh

Solving for v, we get = 2gh = 2*9.8*46.779 = 916.8684

= 916.8684

v = 30.279 m/s

Therefore, the velocity is 30.279 m/s