Past exam of the physics course of the year 1 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge / 2016 / Paper 1 / Section B / B8 / Solution

Conservation of energy states that the total energy of an isolated system is constant. In a mechanical problem with conservative forces and no dissipation, it gives $K+U=\text{constant}$. It often determines a speed or turning height directly, without solving the full time-dependent equation of motion. With external work or dissipation, use the corresponding energy balance instead.

After a drop leaves the wheel, neglecting air resistance, the conservative force of the Newtonian gravitational field acts. Put the origin at the wheel axis and choose positive horizontal displacement to the right. In the printed diagram $\theta$ is measured upward from the leftward horizontal radius, and rotation is clockwise. The release position and velocity are thereforeFor upward release, $\cos \theta >0$. These conventions fix the signs used below.