Calculating the Maximum Height of a Kid Jumping on a Trampoline

Explanation:

To find the maximum height that a kid will reach above the trampoline when leaving it with a velocity of 5.5 m/s, we can use the principle of conservation of energy. The initial kinetic energy at the moment of leaving the trampoline will be converted into potential energy at the highest point of the jump, where the velocity becomes zero just before descending back down.

The formula for kinetic energy (KE) is KE = 0.5 × mass × velocity² and the formula for gravitational potential energy (PE) is PE = mass × gravity × height. Assuming the mass of the child is constant and gravity is 9.81 m/s², at the highest point all kinetic energy will be converted into potential energy, so we can equate both energies and solve for height:

0.5 × m × (5.5 m/s)² = m × 9.81 m/s² × h

h = (0.5 × (5.5 m/s)²) / 9.81 m/s²

h = 1.54 m

Therefore, the maximum height the child will reach above the trampoline is 1.54 meters.