What Is the Correct Belt Velocity to Stop Boxes on an Incline with Friction?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the appropriate belt velocity required to stop boxes on an inclined surface with friction. The problem involves concepts from dynamics and energy conservation, particularly focusing on the effects of friction and gravitational forces on the motion of the boxes as they transition from the belt to the incline.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore various methods to calculate the necessary belt velocity, including energy considerations and force diagrams. Questions arise regarding the role of friction, the normal force, and the effects of gravity on the incline. Some participants express confusion about the setup and the calculations involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing different approaches and calculations. Some guidance has been offered regarding the forces at play, and there is an ongoing examination of the assumptions made in the problem setup. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored, particularly concerning the energy dynamics and forces acting on the boxes.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information available and the methods they can employ. There is also a mention of specific values for the coefficient of friction and the incline angle, which are critical to the calculations being discussed.

VSCCEGR
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Boxes are transported by a belt w/a vel. Vo to a fixed incline @ A where they slide & fall off @ B. Knowing that the coefficient of kinetic friction is u=.4 Determine the Vel. of the belt if the boxes are to have a Vel. of 0 and stop @ B.

There is a constant velocity while the boxes are on the belt, but from A to B there is friction of .4. AB is not a part of the belt, but a 15* inclined surfface.

I have tried this:

N=mgcos(theta)
Ff=uN
W=Ff(d)
Ff(d)=.5mv^2

This Gives 6.73m/s

The right answer is: 3.87m/s
 
Last edited:
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Draw a force diagram. You know they are traveling with cosntant velocity, so the net force in every direction is zero. This should be fairly easy.

Find the normal force, and given the friction coefficient, you can find the force of friction.

I can't decipher from your image whether the area labeled 6 meters is an area of freefall or part of the belt.
 
Anyway, The boxes have a certain kinetic energy imparted to them by the belt:

[tex]KE_{box} = \frac{1}{2} mv_0^2[/tex]

This energy will be completely dissipated by friction once the boxes reach point B, a distance of 6 meters away. You can find the force of friction by knowing that it dissipates the energy of the box in 6m, or:

The change in energy is the total kinetic energy of the boxes, [itex]\Delta W = KE[/itex]

[tex]F = \frac{\Delta W}{d} = \frac{mv_0^2}{12}[/tex]

[tex]F = \mu_k N = 0.4 N[/tex] and [tex]N = mgcos(15) = 9.46m[/tex] so:

[tex](0.4)(9.46m) = \frac{mv_0^2}{12}[/tex]

Cancel the masses, and you should get ~6 m/s

*well if the answer is 3.87 then somethings up.
 
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W being work

Then W=KE2-KE1 not KE=Delta.W

KE2 Should=0 because the box will be at rest. therefor, W=KE1
KE1=.5mv^2 and W=Fd
F is where I think I am going wrong.
the Ff (friction force) isn't the only force acting is it?
 
But along the direction of the incline, you also have a force component coming from gravity, which is equal to
-mgsin(theta)...

So the total net force should be [tex]-mgsin(15) + 0.4mgcos(15)[/tex]

then proceed like whozum explained and you will get the 3.87m/s

marlon
 
I was thinking this, but I figured that gravity would be negated by the normal force since it IS on the plane, and the vertical component of the normal force eliminated its effects. Now that I'm thinking about it that was what it is.
 
VSCCEGR said:
W being work

Then W=KE2-KE1 not KE=Delta.W

KE2 Should=0 because the box will be at rest. therefor, W=KE1
KE1=.5mv^2 and W=Fd
F is where I think I am going wrong.
the Ff (friction force) isn't the only force acting is it?

Were explaining the same thing with different terminology. I was explaining to you why I changed from W to KE in the next equation, the change in work will be equivalent to the Ke_f-Ke_i, since Ke_i = 0, then change in work will be Ke_f. Change in work is referring to the change in energy.

I just say work too much.
 
Marlon:

[tex]F_{net} = mgcos(15)-mgsin(15) = 6.92m[/tex]

[tex]F_{net} = \frac{mv^2}{12}[/tex]

[tex]v_0 = \sqrt{\frac{12F_{net}}{m}} = \sqrt{\frac{12(6.92m)} {m} } = 9.11m/s[/tex]

??

edit: I added wrong.
 
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PRAISE U GUYS!

sum F=1.25m
F(6)=.5mV^2 (Why are ya'll dividing by 12?)
7.5m=.5mV^2
15=V^2
V=3.87m/s

Thanks,
I now wish I had Went into CAD instead of EGR!
 
Last edited:
  • #10
VSCCEGR said:
I have tried this:

N=mgcos(theta)
Ff=uN
W=Ff(d)
Ff(d)=.5mv^2
Your mistake was to ignore the change in potential energy in your energy equation:
[tex]F_f d = 1/2 m v^2 + mg d\sin\theta[/tex]
 

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