Calculating Coefficient of Kinetic Friction in a Collison with Rough Surfaces

AI Thread Summary
The problem involves a collision between two blocks, where the first block collides with a stationary second block, and they stick together before moving onto a rough surface. The initial kinetic energy (KE) of the system is calculated, but the method used to find the coefficient of kinetic friction is flawed. It is emphasized that the change in KE should not be used directly, as some energy is lost during the collision. Instead, the post-collision KE should be equated to the work done by friction to accurately determine the friction coefficient. This approach leads to the correct calculation of the coefficient of kinetic friction.
Mivz18
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I'm having trouble solving for the correct answer for this problem:

A block of mass M1 = 3.5 kg moves with velocity v1 = 6.3 m/s on a frictionless surface. It collides with block of mass M2 = 1.7 kg which is initially stationary. The blocks stick together and encounter a rough surface. The blocks eventually come to a stop after traveling a distance d = 1.85 m . What is the coefficient of kinetic friction on the rough surface?

With the help the problem provided, I get that KE = (1/2)m*v^2 which also equals momentum squared over 2 times the two masses added together; this equals the post-collision KE. I also find out that the Force of friction = (friction constant)g(m1 + m2) . Then through the vector dot product you can figure out that delta KE = F*d = (sliding friction coefficient)gd(m1 + m2)cos(180) . I calculate the initial KE as 69.4575 and the post-collision KE as 46.75 leaving delta KE as 22.7073. Then when I solve for the sliding friction coefficient, from the equation
delta KE = (friction coefficient)gd(m1+m2)cos(180).
After my numbers are plugged in and I solve, I get 0.240859 as the answer. However, the online program I'm using says it is incorrect. Am I doing something wrong?
 
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It is not meaningful to use (delta KE) here!
What you then actually are saying, is that all of your initial KE is distibuted between post-collision KE, and the work of friction.
This is patently untrue, since some of the initial KE were lost in the collision.

What IS true, is that ALL post-collision KE is dissipated by friction.

So, equate post-collision KE with work of friction!
 
Thank you!
 
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