AP Physics 1 Help? Centripetal motion/Kinematics/Friction problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving centripetal motion, kinematics, and friction. The scenario describes a block sliding down a frictionless arc and then moving along a rough horizontal section, with specific questions about the block's speed and forces acting on it.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various methods to determine the speed of the block at different points and the forces acting on it. There is an exploration of energy conservation principles and the role of friction.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the energy considerations for the problem, while others are questioning the appropriateness of certain equations and methods. There is an ongoing exploration of different approaches to solve the final question regarding the block's speed as it passes point P.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through assumptions about energy conservation and the effects of friction, with some expressing uncertainty about the correct application of formulas and the relevance of certain parameters.

tortilla
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Homework Statement
A track consists of frictionless arc XY which is a quarter circle of radius R and a rough horizontal secion YZ. Block A of mass M is released from rest at point X slides down the curved section of the track to point Y. Block A continues moving along the horizontal track to the right, sliding past point P which is a distance l from point Y. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the blocks and the horizontal part of the track is mu.

Express your answers in terms of M, l, mu, R, and g.

1. Determine the speed of block A at point Y.

2. Determine the force due to friction acting upon block A as it slides horizontally.

3. Determine the work done by friction on block A as it passes point P.

4. Determine the speed of block A as it passes point P.
Relevant Equations
Fc = (Mv^2)/R
Ff = Fn*mu
w = Ff*d
I think I have solved the first three, and only really need help on question four.

For number one, I used Fc = (Mv^2)/R and just rearranged it for velocity so I ended up with v = sqrt(ac * R)

For number 2 I used Ff = Fn*mu and got Mg*mu = Ff

For number 3 I used w = Ff*d and got w = -Mg*mu*l

For number four I have no idea.
 

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The potential energy should equal the kinetic energy minus the work of friction. That should be what you use to find the velocity.
 
Last edited:
tortilla said:
Homework Statement:: A track consists of frictionless arc XY which is a quarter circle of radius R and a rough horizontal secion YZ. Block A of mass M is released from rest at point X slides down the curved section of the track to point Y. Block A continues moving along the horizontal track to the right, sliding past point P which is a distance l from point Y. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the blocks and the horizontal part of the track is mu.

Express your answers in terms of M, l, mu, R, and g.

1. Determine the speed of block A at point Y.

2. Determine the force due to friction acting upon block A as it slides horizontally.

3. Determine the work done by friction on block A as it passes point P.

4. Determine the speed of block A as it passes point P.
Homework Equations:: Fc = (Mv^2)/R
Ff = Fn*mu
w = Ff*d

I think I have solved the first three, and only really need help on question four.

For number one, I used Fc = (Mv^2)/R and just rearranged it for velocity so I ended up with v = sqrt(ac * R)

For number four I have no idea.

Your answer to number 1 is not correct. What value are you going to use for ##a_c##? You've used an equation for the centripetal acceleration associated with constant speed circular motion, which is not relevant here.

If you work out how to solve part 1, you may see how to solve part 4.
 
PeroK said:
Your answer to number 1 is not correct. What value are you going to use for ##a_c##? You've used an equation for the centripetal acceleration associated with constant speed circular motion, which is not relevant here.

If you work out how to solve part 1, you may see how to solve part 4.

Thanks so much for pointing that out! should I be using v=(2piR)/t? I don't know the time it was on the track
 
tortilla said:
Thanks so much for pointing that out! should I be using v=(2piR)/t? I don't know the time it was on the track

This problem will be difficult using forces and acceleration. Can you think of another approach?
 
I'm really not sure. Should I be looking at the angular speed? just v/R?
 
tortilla said:
I'm really not sure. Should I be looking at the angular speed? just v/R?

No. Something else. You used it to solve part 3.
 
PeroK said:
No. Something else. You used it to solve part 3.
Because it isn't uniform the work is not zero?
 
PeroK said:
No. Something else. You used it to solve part 3.
since at point X it is at rest all the energy is gravitational potential, right? So if I set mgR equal to .5*m*v^2 and get v = sqrt(2gR) is that correct for part 1?
 
  • #10
tortilla said:
since at point X it is at rest all the energy is gravitational potential, right? So if I set mgR equal to .5*m*v^2 and get v = sqrt(2gR) is that correct for part 1?
Yes.
 
  • #11
haruspex said:
Yes.
Thank you so so much
 

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