A problem on two dimensional kinematics

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a block sliding up a frictionless incline at an angle of 20 degrees with an initial velocity of 5 m/s. The objective is to determine how far the block travels up the incline before coming to rest.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the distance using vertical and horizontal displacements but questions the accuracy of their approach after not arriving at the expected answer of 3.73 m.
  • Some participants suggest using conservation of energy as a simpler method, prompting questions about why velocity can be used directly without resolving it into components.
  • There are discussions around the components of velocity and the effects of gravity on the incline, with suggestions to resolve gravity into its components.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different methods and questioning the assumptions behind their calculations. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of energy conservation and resolving forces, but no consensus has been reached on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the original poster's classes have not covered conservation of energy, which adds to the complexity of the discussion. There is also mention of the normal force having a vertical component, which may affect the calculations.

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Homework Statement



A block is given initial velocity of 5m/s up a frictionless 20 degrees incline. How far up the incline does the block slide before coming to rest?

The answer is 3.73m.
I set the coordinates to be perpendicular to the plane instead of parallel to the incline. I calculated the vertical and horizontal displacement and then use Pythagorean Theory to evaluate how far the car goes. But I did not get the expected answer, which is 3.73. Can anybody tell me what's wrong with my solusions?
 
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This is my attempts.
 

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DeldotB said:
I can't read your writing but a MUCH easier way is to use conservation of energy. Think: at the top, the block is not moving, so all its K.E is converted to gravitational P.E

[Moderator: complete solution provided by DeldotB has been removed]

But why we can use the velocity directly without resolving it into x and y directions? And since my classes haven't covered the conservation of energy, I would like to see what's going wrong with my answers.
 
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Winsy said:
But why we can use the velocity directly without resolving it into x and y directions? And since my classes haven't covered the conservation of energy, I would like to see what's going wrong with my answers.

v(y0)=v(0)sin20°=5m/s×sin20°=1.71m/s
since v(t)^2-v(y0)^2=2as,v(t)=0,a=-9.8m/s^2
h=v(y0)^2/2g=0.149
since a=(v(t)-v(0))/t ,t=v(t)-v(y0)/g=0.174s

v(x0)=v(0)×cos20°=4.7m/s
x=(v(xo)+v(t))×t/2=0.409m
s=√[x^2+h^2]=0.435m

That's what I've tried.
 
DeldotB said:
I can't read your writing but a MUCH easier way is to use conservation of energy. Think: at the top, the block is not moving, so all its K.E is converted to gravitational P.E

[itex]1/2mv^2=mgh[/itex] the m's cancell, so you have [itex]v^2/2=gh[/itex] which implies [itex]h=v^2/(2g)[/itex] Sine = opposite/hypotenuse, so [itex]sin(20)=h/d[/itex] so [itex]h=sin(20)d[/itex] substituting that into the above eqn, [itex]v^2/(2g)=sin(20)d[/itex] so [itex]d=v^2/(2gsin(20))=3.729 m[/itex]

v(y0)=v(0)sin20°=5m/s×sin20°=1.71m/s
since v(t)^2-v(y0)^2=2as,v(t)=0,a=-9.8m/s^2
h=v(y0)^2/2g=0.149
since a=(v(t)-v(0))/t ,t=v(t)-v(y0)/g=0.174s
v(x0)=v(0)×cos20°=4.7m/s
x=(v(xo)+v(t))×t/2=0.409m
s=√[x^2+h^2]=0.435m
That's what I've tried.
 
Winsy said:
v(y0)=v(0)sin20°=5m/s×sin20°=1.71m/s
since v(t)^2-v(y0)^2=2as,v(t)=0,a=-9.8m/s^2
a is not -9.8 m/s^2 in this situation, because the normal force also has a vertical component.

I would suggest resolving gravity into it's components along the incline and perpendicular to the incline. Then work with the entire magnitude of velocity.
 

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