Time to Slide 9m Down 38° Incline w/ Friction 0.25

[Vector86]

A block slides down an inclined plane 9m. long that makes an angle of 38 degrees with the horizontal. The coefficient of sliding friction is 0.25 If the block starts from rest, find the time required for it to reach the foot of the plane

Thats all the info i got, please i need help.

 

[cepheid]

Strategy:

1. List the given variables so that you can easily see what information you have.

2. Draw a Free Body Diagram (FBD) for the block. Include all of the forces acting on the block and from that find the net force acting on the block.

3. Are you sure the mass of the block is not given? It must be. Use it, and the net force, to find the acceleration of the block.

4. Knowing the acceleration of the block, find the time required to traverse the incline.

 

[HawKMX2004]

I don't think mass is required, it should cancel itself out shouldn't it? Also i want to add, keep your X variables different from your Y variables. Dont forget that there is a Force of Gravity in the X direction which is sin(38)(9.8) in this case, and a Force of Gravity in the Y direction which is cos(38)(9.8) both pulling down on the block, after you have your forces and such figured out, it is helpful to me anyway, to forget about the incline, and draw it flat, and use the incline forces...hope that helps if you need some formulas or get stuck, let me know I'll try to help ya

 

[cepheid]

Could you please explain how either component of the object's weight could possibly be independent of its mass?



Edit: Never mind...those quantities you have listed are the accelerations...mgsin(38) / m = gsin(38) etc. I got it now...thanks.

 

[Vector86]

thanks for the help but i still don't know how to start the problem. if u could help me with that i could probably finish it

 

[cepheid]

thanks for the help but i still don't know how to start the problem. if u could help me with that i could probably finish it

Step 2 above is how to start the problem

 

[Vector86]

well it still doesn't make sense to me

 

[cepheid]

Did you try drawing the free body diagram? What forces are acting on the block? There is a component of the blocks weight pushing it against the incline. There is the normal force of the incline against the block. Those two forces in that direction (perpendicular to the incline) cancel out, so don't worry about them. Call that the y-direction. What about forces parallel to the incline (call that the x-direction)? Well, there is a component of the object's weight dragging it down the incline, and there is a frictional force in the opposite direction, opposing this motion. So there is a net force of F (weight along incline) - F (friction). This net force accelerates the block down the ramp. Once you know the net force, you know the acceleration. With the acceleration, finding the time required to reach the bottom is a matter of simple kinematics.

 

[Vector86]

can anyone give me the answer so i can check my work

 

[Zlex]

Vector,

You'll find no one here will just give you the answer. Instead, you'll find guidance and advice on how to reach the answer on your own.

If you want your work checked, feel free to post and folks here will be happy to point out where you have made a mistake, if any.

 

[Vector86]

please help

hey my friend was asking about that friction problem for me and all the advice u gave me i already took. see i know that all i need is the force of weight or the mass in order to get the acceleration and plug it into the equation for distance. I've tried everything and there's no way. i used 9 as the hypotenuse for the triangle i made for the force of weight components but that would make 9 my force of weight which is not right. please help me I've been workin on this all day. i end up stuck with every approach I've taken. with every friction problem i write down my given info and then make a diagram but this problem is seriously impossible without the mass or force of weight. please help.

 

[Vector86]

sorry

sorry i meant the equation for time. the equation i plan on using is distance = original velocity times time plus acceleration times time squared over two.

 

[Vector86]

all i need to know is how to get either the force of weight or the mass because from there i can find everything else. please

 

[cepheid]

OK...since you have the general idea now...I'll help you along further. That triangle you drew...GOOD. It's hypoteneuse is the weight. Just call it mg for now. the x-component of the weight (i.e. down the ramp) is mg(sin38). that's the force pulling the block down the ramp. Now, what is the formula for the force of friction?

$$f = \mu_f N$$, where N is the normal force. Can you calculate the normal force and substitute that in? Once you have a formula for f, you subtract it from the downward force (since it is directed up the ramp, opposing the motion). So:

$$F_{NET} = mg\sin38^o - f$$

HINT: as Hawkman already stated, it doesn't matter that you don't know m.

 

[Zlex]

Double Hint:

Fnet = ma

 

[Tabe]

Ok, I have a similar problem. I am trying to solve for the coefficient of kinetic friction, and I am give theta, and acceleration. Does anybody have a clue how to solve this problem without the mass or forces?