Question: A cylinder rolls down a hill of height h. What is the speed of the center of mass when it reaches the bottom?
Options:
Correct Answer: β(3gh)
Solution:
Using conservation of energy, potential energy at the top (mgh) converts to kinetic energy (1/2 mv^2 + 1/2 IΟ^2). For a solid cylinder, I = (1/2)mR^2 and Ο = v/R. Solving gives v = β(3gh).