Friction and centripetal force

In summary: Ok, in summary the child slides down a slide with a 29 degree incline and her speed is at two-thirds of what it would be if the slide was frictionless. If there was no friction, her velocity would be 3/4 of what it is. Her height change is related to the length of the slide. When there is friction, her velocity is multiplied by W_f, the coefficient of kinetic friction. Finally, she has to solve for F_f, the normal force, and figure out what cancels it out.
  • #1
Vlyandra
1
0
I feel like there's not enough information to solve this:

A child slides down a slide with a 29 degree incline, and at the bottom her speed is precisely two-thirds what it would have been if the slide had been frictionless. Calculate the coeffieicnt of kinetic friction between the slide and the child.

Also, I can't explain why, in those "rotor-rides" at the carnival where you're spun around fast enough to overcome static friction and not slide down, why you feel like you're being pressed against the wall but you're really not. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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  • #2
Welcome to the forums! :smile:

However in order to get help you need to SHOW US what progress you have made since we don't provide solutions we simply guide you along the way


ok first of all let's just assume that the child started to slide from rest

so then if there was no friction involved
[tex] \Delta K + \Delta U = 0 [/tex]

calculate the velocity (use variables only)
the height change you used here is somehow related to the length of the slide itself
Now that you have a velocity 2/3 of this velocity is the velocity you will use in the next part

assume ther was friction

[tex] \Delta K + \Delta U = W_{f} = F_{f} d = \mu F_{N} l [/tex]

where L is the length of the slide
sub in what you have so far for the velocity (remember to square it!) you know the change in potential energy.

Draw a fre body body diagram of the child nad figure out the normal force and see waht cancels out. Your answer should have no need for the mass or the length of the slide.
 
  • #3
For the second problem, I'll give you a hint: You get pressed against the wall right? What kind a reference frame are you in? What kind of a reference frame is a person on the ground in? What is the difference? (Sorry for making it look all so obvious...but you still got to reason it yourself mate).
 

What is friction and how does it affect motion?

Friction is the resistance force that occurs when two surfaces come into contact and move against each other. It can affect motion by slowing down or stopping an object's movement.

What factors affect the amount of friction between two surfaces?

The amount of friction between two surfaces is affected by the type of surfaces, the force pressing the surfaces together, and the roughness of the surfaces.

What is centripetal force and how is it related to friction?

Centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path. It is related to friction because without friction, the object would not be able to maintain its circular motion and would continue in a straight line.

How does friction affect the centripetal force in a rotating object?

Friction can either increase or decrease the centripetal force in a rotating object. If the friction force is in the same direction as the centripetal force, it will increase the overall force and help maintain the circular motion. However, if the friction force is in the opposite direction, it can decrease the centripetal force and cause the object to slow down or stop.

How can we reduce the effects of friction and increase the centripetal force in a rotating object?

To reduce the effects of friction and increase the centripetal force in a rotating object, we can use lubricants to reduce the friction between the surfaces, use smoother surfaces, and increase the force pushing the surfaces together. Additionally, increasing the speed of the rotating object can also help to counteract the effects of friction and maintain the centripetal force.

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