The velocity of the rolling cheese can be estimated using conservation of energy. The change in elevation from the cheese shack at 718 meters to the bottom of the hill at 653 meters is 65 meters. All of the potential energy converts to kinetic energy of motion. The relationship is:
(3/4) * mass * velocity^2 = mass * gravitational acceleration * change of elevation
Solving for velocity:
velocity = sqrt(1.3333 * gravitational acceleration * change of elevation)
Using 9.8 meters/sec^2 for the gravity we get a speed of 29 meters/sec or 65 mph!
9.8 meters per second squared is an
acceleration due to gravity, not gravity. Gravity (gravitational force) is measured in Newtons.
but it is really just semantics
Opps, I missed the gravitational acceleration, sorry I butted in.
When I first saw the rolling cheese, two things came to my mind. Delta PE = Delta KE and Delta p = F delta t and a very horrible philmination if it hit anyone....lol