Calculating Distance Traveled by a Suitcase on a Conveyor Belt

[nerdgirl909]

Homework Statement

A baggage handler drops your 9.10kg suitcase onto a conveyor belt running at 2.90m/s . The materials are such that ms= 0.560 and mk= 0.150.

How far is your suitcase dragged before it is riding smoothly on the belt? (in meters)

Homework Equations

fk = mk times normal force
fs = ms times normal force
and kinematic equations

The Attempt at a Solution

forces acting on the suitcase:

normal force in upwards y direction = 89.2 N
weight (mg) in downwards y direction = -89.2 N
static friction or kinetic friction?? towards the left x direction


...
positive velocity of the conveyor belt towards the right x direction = 2.90m/s

 

[Chi Meson]

Static friction is the force that will accelerate the suitcase until it reaches the final velocity of the conveyor belt.

 

[jedi_david]

Static friction is the force that will accelerate the suitcase until it reaches the final velocity of the conveyor belt.

Actually you have to use the kinetic friction coefficient.

First, find the acceleration of the bag. Hint (a = mk * g)

Then use your kinematic equation to solve for X or the position. I used: Vi^2 = Vf^2 + 2a*x. Keep in mind that the initial velocity or Vi is 0.

Hope that helps.