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I'm always struggled with rolling up/down slopes mechanics questions - please help!!

Hello all,

As per the subject line, I have attempted a few of this style of mechanics question in past papers, but I can never manage to see it right through.
I was hoping that one or more person could provide a solution to the attached question. This would be invaluable in helping me to finally understand the correct approach to these questions!

Here is the physics that I understand at present:

1. In rolling of an axisymmetric body, only the contact friction provides a torque about the centre of mass.

2. The no-slip condition is defined to be: v=omega*r and a=alpha*r

3. Newton's II law can be applied independently to the linear and angular motion.

...yet tying the above 3 points together in this question is tricky!

Thanks in advance for any help.

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