Conservation of Energy and coefficients of friction

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a skier moving up an incline and requires the calculation of the average coefficient of friction using the conservation of energy principle.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the conservation of energy theorem and question the setup of the problem. There are mentions of alternative methods for calculating the coefficient of friction.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to clarify the use of energy principles and the calculation of forces involved. Some participants have offered guidance on how to approach the problem, while others are exploring different interpretations of the concepts involved.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of a specific expected coefficient value, which may influence the discussion on assumptions and calculations related to the normal force and friction.

chem07
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Try this problem:
A skier traveling 11 m/s reaches the foot of a steady upward 17 degree incline and glides 12 meters upward along this slope before coming to rest. Calculate the average coefficient of friction.

I've tried using the Conservation of energy theorem, but it is not working. Is there an easier way? By the way, the correct coefficient should be 0.23.
 
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"Energy" should work just fine; post what you've done.
 
Have you tried doing: coefficient of friction = Flim/R ?? I don't really know much about it, it's just the way I was taught to tackle something like this at AS level.
 
Last edited:
I finally did figure out the correct answer to this problem. I was using the conservation of energy theorem correctly, but had calculated the incorrect normal force (friction force= coefficient of friction*normal force).
 

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