What is Sliding: Definition and 731 Discussions

A sliding puzzle, sliding block puzzle, or sliding tile puzzle is a combination puzzle that challenges a player to slide (frequently flat) pieces along certain routes (usually on a board) to establish a certain end-configuration. The pieces to be moved may consist of simple shapes, or they may be imprinted with colours, patterns, sections of a larger picture (like a jigsaw puzzle), numbers, or letters.
Sliding puzzles are essentially two-dimensional in nature, even if the sliding is facilitated by mechanically interlinked pieces (like partially encaged marbles) or three-dimensional tokens. As this example shows, some sliding puzzles are mechanical puzzles. However, the mechanical fixtures are usually not essential to these puzzles; the parts could as well be tokens on a flat board that are moved according to certain rules.
Unlike other tour puzzles, a sliding block puzzle prohibits lifting any piece off the board. This property separates sliding puzzles from rearrangement puzzles. Hence, finding moves and the paths opened up by each move within the two-dimensional confines of the board are important parts of solving sliding block puzzles.
The oldest type of sliding puzzle is the fifteen puzzle, invented by Noyes Chapman in 1880; Sam Loyd is often wrongly credited with making sliding puzzles popular based on his false claim that he invented the fifteen puzzle. Chapman's invention initiated a puzzle craze in the early 1880s.
From the 1950s through the 1980s sliding puzzles employing letters to form words were very popular. These sorts of puzzles have several possible solutions, as may be seen from examples such as Ro-Let (a letter-based fifteen puzzle), Scribe-o (4x8), and Lingo.The fifteen puzzle has been computerized (as puzzle video games) and examples are available to play for free on-line from many Web pages. It is a descendant of the jigsaw puzzle in that its point is to form a picture on-screen. The last square of the puzzle is then displayed automatically once the other pieces have been lined up.

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  1. F

    Mass sliding down incline with spring

    Homework Statement A 3kg mass starts at rest and slides a distance d down a smooth 30deg incline, where it contacts an unstressed spring. It slides an additional 0.2 m as it is brought momentarily to rest by compressing the spring (k=400N/m) What is the initial separation d between the...
  2. A

    How Does Mass and Inertia Affect Acceleration on an Inclined Plane?

    Homework Statement A block with mass m = 5.00 kg slides down a surface inclined 36.9 degrees to the horizontal (the figure View Figure ). The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.23. A string attached to the block is wrapped around a flywheel on a fixed axis at O. The flywheel has mass 28.0...
  3. M

    Solving the Sliding Component Problem

    When I started looking into this problem I thought it would be rather easy. As I got into it further I found it getting more difficult. I will explain the image first. These components are circular, but I have unwrapped them for simplification. The block on the top is a complete ring. Force...
  4. Y

    Sliding Block and Pulley

    Homework Statement A 5.50 kg block (m1) is connected by means of a massless rope to a 3.15 kg block (m2). The pulley is frictionless. Calculate the maximum value for the coefficient of static friction, if the 5.50 kg block is to begin sliding. The diagram is attatched to the post...
  5. K

    Solving the Mass Sliding Problem with Increased Height h

    My problem states, 2s is required for the mass to slide the distance d from a resting position. If the height h is increased by a factor of 4, while holding theta(angle) at 30, how long does it take the mass to slide the new distance d from rest? height h =5. My main question is (don't...
  6. O

    How far up the incline will the block move before coming to rest?

    Homework Statement A block with mass m = 24.6 kg slides down an inclined plane of slope angle 38.4 o with a constant velocity. It is then projected up the same plane with an initial speed 4.90 m/s. How far up the incline will the block move before coming to rest? Homework Equations...
  7. D

    Solving Physics Lab Cube Sliding Problem

    In a physics lab, a small cube slides down a frictionless incline as shown, and collides at the bottom (where it is now moving horizontally) with a cube that is only one-half its mass. If the incline is 30 CM high and the table is 90 CM off the floor. where does each cube land? the teacher...
  8. M

    At what height does the boy lose contact with the ice?

    Homework Statement "A boy is initially seated on the top of a hemispherical ice mound of radius R = 13.8m. He begins to slide down the ice, with a negligible initial speed. Approximate the ice as being frictionless. At what height does the boy loose contact with the ice?" Homework...
  9. K

    Finding mass of a sliding block

    Homework Statement Assume g= 10 m/s^2 A plane 25m in length is inclined at an angle of 36.9 degrees. A block of weight 250N is placed at the top of the plane and allowed to slide down. The coefficient of friction is 0.5. The velocity is negative and the block weighs 250N. The mass of the...
  10. ~christina~

    Block sliding down a ramp problem

    Homework Statement The path that a block slides along is frictionless until the block reaches the section L shown in the figure below. The length L = 0.75 m begins at height h = 2.0 m on a ramp of angle θ = 30º. In that section, the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.40. The block...
  11. A

    Conservation of energy of a sliding block

    Homework Statement A small block starts at rest on top of a frictionless hemisphere (like an igloo) of radius 1.7m. Then the block slides down from the top. At what height above the ground (in m) is the block moving fast enough that it leaves the surface of the hemisphere? Homework...
  12. N

    Box sliding down plane - find work

    A 3.00kg box, initially at rest, slides 1.50m down a frictional plane inclined at 20degrees to the horizontal? a) The work done on the box was ? B) the final velocity of the box? a= 3kg*9.8m/s *sin(20)=10.05N 10.05N *1.5m= 15.08N*m b= square root of 2* 10/3 * 1.5...
  13. S

    Sliding Ice Block Homework: Calculate Mass of Ice Melted

    Homework Statement A block of ice at 0°C whose mass initially is m = 50.0 kg slides along a horizontal surface, starting at a speed vo = 5.72 m/s and finally coming to rest after traveling a distance d = 21.37 m. Compute the mass of ice melted as a result of the friction between the block...
  14. M

    Preventing a box from sliding.

    1. A person driving a truck has a box in the back. They are driving at a constant speed (v_0) when they notice a red light and have to stop. What is the maximum acceleration the truck can have without causing the box to slide forward? (Answer must be given in terms of variables, as no values are...
  15. G

    Required frictional force for a car to keep it from sliding off a curve.

    Homework Statement With what frictional force must the road push on a 1200 kg car if the driver exceeds the speed for which the curve was designed by deltav = 14km/hr? The Attempt at a Solution I actually have no clue where to begin with this question. Don't I need the radius to figure...
  16. E

    Solving Sliding Wire Problem: Determine Magnitude & Direction of Current

    Homework Statement A straight piece of conducting wire with mass M and length L is placed on a frictionless incline tilted at an angle theta from the horizontal. There is a uniform, vertical magnetic field vecB at all points (produced by an arrangement of magnets not shown in the figure)...
  17. M

    Sliding block- thermal energy - please

    Homework Statement You push a block of lead across the floor, applying a horizontal force of 9 N. The block moves at a constant speed. The mass of the block is 1.5 kg and the heat capacity of lead is 130 J/(kg K). After pushing the block a distance of 20 m, you measure its temperature and find...
  18. V

    Solving for Time Taken to Slide Down Roof

    Homework Statement a ball started at a height of 12.5 meters and rolled to the edge of a roof which is at 7 meters. Using a^2+b^2=c^2 we know it rolled a distance of 8.14 meters on the roof because it rolled a horizontal distance of 6m and a vertical distance of 5.5m. Find the time it rolled...
  19. H

    Solve for Distance Sliding in Socks with Friction of .250

    [SOLVED] Sliding in Socks Homework Statement Suppose that the coefficient of friction between your feet and the floor, while wearing socks, is 0.250. Knowing this, you decide to get a running start and then slide across the floor. If your speed is 3.00 m/s when you start to slide, what...
  20. D

    Calculating the Speed of a Cylinder on a Frictional Ramp

    Homework Statement A uniform solid cylinder (m=0.230 kg, of small radius) is at the top of a similar ramp, which has friction. The cylinder starts from rest and rolls down the ramp without sliding and goes around the loop. Find the speed of the cylinder at the top of the loop. Homework...
  21. K

    Solve Sliding Box Problem: Force Normal, Constant Velocity & Acceleration

    Homework Statement A student is pulling a 25 kg trunk up an incline that has an angle with the horizontal of 20 degrees. She has a strap tied to the trunk which is parallel to the surface of the incline. If the coefficient of kinetic friction between the incline and the trunk is 0.5 fine...
  22. L

    Calculating Sliding Friction Coefficient (μ) for Car on Icy Road

    Homework Statement You are driving a 2090 kg car at a constant speed of 22.2 m/s along an icy, but straight and level road. While approaching a traffic light, it turns red. You slam on the breaks. Your wheels lock, the tires begin skidding, and the car slides to a halt in a distance of 64.9...
  23. P

    Sphere: angle to begin sliding

    [SOLVED] Sphere: angle to begin sliding Given a small mass on a sphere. Coef of static friction is .49 what angle would begin sliding. I thought i would use inverse cos(.49/9.8) and i get 87 degrees but it is wrong any other equations i am missing?
  24. U

    Frictional coin sliding on turntable

    A 5.0 g coin is placed 22 cm from the center of a turntable. The coin has static and kinetic coefficients of friction with the turntable surface of µs = 0.80 and µk = 0.50. What is the maximum rpm that the turntable could speed up to without the coin sliding off? m = .005 kg r = .22 m...
  25. U

    Frictional coin sliding on turntable

    A 5.0 g coin is placed 22 cm from the center of a turntable. The coin has static and kinetic coefficients of friction with the turntable surface of µs = 0.80 and µk = 0.50. What is the maximum rpm that the turntable could speed up to without the coin sliding off? m = .005 kg r = .22 m µs = 0.8...
  26. K

    Calculating Coefficient of Kinetic Friction on a Sliding Pig

    A slide loving pig slides down a certain 19° slide in twice the time it would take to slide down a frictionless 19° slide. What is the coefficient of kinetic friction between the pig and the slide? here is how i approached the problem: since on a slide i changed the x-axis going with the...
  27. K

    Angle Between F1 and F2 Forces on Disk Sliding on Ice

    The question is: Two horizontal forces F1 and F2 act on a 1.8 kg disk that slides over frictionless ice, on which an xy coordinate system is laid out. Force F1 is in the negative direction of the x-axis and has a magnitude of 3.0 N. Force F2 has a magnitude of 9.0 N. The figure below gives...
  28. B

    Coefficient of sliding friction homework

    Homework Statement A large package weighing 517 N is accelerated across a gym floor at 3 m/sec^2 because it is being pushed at a force of 285 N at 50 degrees to the floor. What is the normal force of the package? What is the coefficient of sliding friction between the package and the floor...
  29. T

    Block sliding down an inclined plane and gravity

    Homework Statement There is a 5.0kg block sliding 1.5m down an inclined plane 12 degrees from the horizontal. the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.310. Whats is the work done on the block by friction and gravity? Homework Equations F=ma, W=fd, fk=uk*N The Attempt at a Solution...
  30. S

    Block sliding down frictionless ramp while being pulled with constant force?

    Homework Statement A block of ice slides down a frictionless ramp at theta = 60 degrees while an ice worker pulls on the block (via a rope) with a constant force of 50.0 N. The block slides a distance d = 0.8m along the ramp and its kinetic energy increases by 128 J. (a) Calculate the work...
  31. D

    Work and frictional force on a Sliding Box

    Homework Statement Part A: A box of mass m is sliding along a horizontal surface. The box leaves position x = 0 with speed v_0. The box is slowed by a constant frictional force until it comes to rest at position x = x_1. Find F_f, the magnitude of the average frictional force that...
  32. D

    Calculating Work on a Sliding Block on an Inclined Plane

    Homework Statement A block of weight w sits on a frictionless inclined plane, which makes an angle (theta) with respect to the horizontal. A force of magnitude F, applied parallel to the incline, pulls the block up the plane at constant speed. 1)The block moves a distance up the incline...
  33. S

    Angle of Child Sliding Down Hill

    Homework Statement A child on a toboggan slides down a hill with an acceleration of magnitude 1.5 m/s^2. If friction is negligible, what is the angle between the hill and the horizontal? a = 1.5 m/s^2 g = 9.8 m/s^2 The Attempt at a Solution Ok, there is no mass given so it it's a...
  34. B

    Inclined Plane and sliding block

    Homework Statement The velocity of a 2.10 kg block sliding down a frictionless inclined plane is found to be 1.13 m/s. 1.00 s later, it has a velocity of 4.13 m/s. What is the angle of the plane with respect to the horizontal? 2. The attempt at a solution I drew a diagram and...
  35. N

    Sliding Mass on Fixed Rod: Analyzing Angular Momentum

    Homework Statement A smooth ring of mass m can slide on a fixed horizontal rod.A string tied to the ring passes over a fixed pulley and carries a mass M(<m).At an instant the angle between the rod and the string is θ.Show that if the ring slides with a speed v,the block descends with a speed...
  36. E

    Calculating Final Speed of 2.00kg Block of Ice Sliding Down Inclined Plane

    Homework Statement A block of ice with mass 2.00kg slides 0.750m down an inclined plane that slopes downward at an angle of 36.9degrees below the horizontal. f the block of ice starts from rest, what is its final speed? You can ignore friction. Homework Equations F=ma, trig...
  37. E

    Block of ice sliding down inclined plane - final speed

    Homework Statement A block of ice with mass 2.00kg slides 0.70m down an inclined plane that slopes downward at an angle of 30degrees below the horizontal. If the block of ice starts from rest, what is its final speed? Homework Equations W = 1/2(m)(v2)^2 - 1/2(m)(v1)^2 The Attempt at a...
  38. F

    Two Objects Sliding on a Frictionless Surface

    Homework Statement Well I figured out the first problem I had posted so here's a new one :) If two objects of different masses are sliding along a frictionless surface at the same speed and they both slide of the same frictionless surface. which rises to a greater height? I want to say they...
  39. M

    A block sliding down an incline

    A block starts from rest at a height of 4.7m on a fixed inclined plane tilted at 30 degrees. The coefficient of friction is 0.28. If the block continues to slide on the ground with the same coefficient of friction, how far will the block slide on the ground until coming to rest? [b]2. V =...
  40. P

    Sliding Down a Spherical Surface

    Homework Statement A person starts from rest at the top of a large frictionless spherical surface, and slides into the water below. At what angle (theta) does the person leave the surface? Then the book gives a "hint": (Hint: The person will lose contact with the surface when the Fn...
  41. H

    How Does Slipping Affect Translational and Rotational Speeds on an Incline?

    Homework Statement An object, a sphere or cylinder, is rolling down an incline and also slipping. How do you find the translational and angular speed? Does slipping decrease or increase the translational and rotational speeds? How so? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  42. C

    Coefficient of Sliding Friction

    Golf Cart Questions Homework Statement Ms. Boylan on her 1750-kg cart is traveling at a constant speed of 8.5-m/s on a wet, straight, and slippery road. A mindless student steps out in from of the cart. The wheels lock and she begins skidding and slides to a halt in 12.0-m. What is the...
  43. D

    Calculating the Speed of a 4m Ladder Sliding Down a Wall

    a ladder 4m long rests against a vertical wall. If the bottom of the ladder slides away from the wall at a speed of 30cm/s. How quickly is the top of the ladder sliding down the wall when the bottom of the ladder is 2m from the wall.
  44. V

    Particle sliding off turntable - find friction

    Homework Statement A turntable rotates at 78 rev/min A particle on the turntable is located 0.14 m from the center of the rotating turntable The particle on the turntable has a mass of 16 g. Calculate the force of friction which keeps it from sliding off Homework Equations f_s =...
  45. N

    Block Sliding on Horizontal Plane & Incline: Speed & Distance Covered

    a block slides along a horizontal plane at an initial velocity of 10m/sec. After sliding 4 meters it reaches a 35 degree incline and slides up the hill. the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.4 for all surfaces. a) how fast is it going when it reaches the incline? b) how far up th incline...
  46. daniel_i_l

    Calculating the envelope of a sliding line

    I read this question a few days ago: Lets say that you have a line that goes from a point on the +y axis to a point on the +x axis with the length of L. There's an infinate amount of such lines, starting with a line that goes from (0,0) to (0,L) and ending with one that goes form (0,0) to...
  47. daniel_i_l

    Solving the Sliding Rod Equilibrium Problem on a Wall

    Here's a question (not homework) that someone asked me a few days ago: you have a rod with length L and mass M that's leaning against a frictionless wall and makes a 30deg angle with the floor. what does the static friction have to be inorder for the stick to stay inequilibrium? What i did...
  48. R

    Finding the Speed Needed to Propel Packages Up an Inclined Ramp

    Homework Statement You are working for a shipping company. Your job is to stand at the bottom of a 8.0-m-long ramp that is inclined at 37 degrees above the horizontal. You grab packages off a conveyor belt and propel them up the ramp. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the packages...
  49. R

    Static and Kinetic Friction. Box sliding in the back of a truck.

    Homework Statement Losing Cargo. A box of mass m rests on the flat floor of a truck. The coefficients of friction between the box and floor are "us" and "uk". The truck stops at a stop sign and then starts to move with an acceleration of a. If the box is a distance x from the rear of the...
  50. L

    Mechanical energy of sliding beads

    Homework Statement A 0.5 kg bead slides on a curved wire, starting from rest at point A as shown in the figure. The segment from A to B is frictionless, and the segment from B to C is rough. The point A is at height 6.9 m and the point C is at height 1.6 m with respect to point B. The...
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