Calculating Dynamics: Newton's Laws and Friction on a Stair-Slider

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the dynamics of a scenario involving a stair-slider named John, who is sliding down a staircase with a mass of 98.0 kg and a frictional force reduced to 50.0 N by butter. Key calculations include determining John's acceleration, the time taken to reach the bottom of the 8.2-meter staircase at a 43-degree angle, and his final velocity. Participants express confusion about the problem's setup, particularly regarding the distinction between John and Stavro, who is the one actually sliding. The conversation highlights the application of Newton's laws and the importance of understanding forces in motion. Overall, the thread seeks guidance on how to approach the physics problem effectively.
struby3
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"John" the stair-slider was recently photographed sliding down a staircase. He has a mass of 98.0 kg when sitting on a carpet lubed up on the bottom with a kg of butter. The staircase is 8.2 meters long and makes an angle of 43 degrees with the horizontal. The butter reduces his frictional force to 50.0 N. Stavro begins his slide by running, grabbing his carpet, and launching himself on the stairs with a velocity of 4.89 m/s. Determine:

A) John's acceleration (Draw a Force Diagram of the system to help you)
B) How long is takes John to reach the bottom of the stairs
C) John's velocity at the bottom of the stairs


HELP ME PLEASE! i don't really know where to start
 
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Please show some kind of mental effort in working through the problem. What parts make sense, what equations are you working with... Nothing in your text gives you clues?
 
A) Newtons law states that F = MA. Force = mass * acceleration. Since mass is constant throughout, as acceleration increases, what happens to the force?
 
Also, is this really "advanced physics"?
 
struby3 said:
"John" the stair-slider was recently photographed sliding down a staircase. He has a mass of 98.0 kg when sitting on a carpet lubed up on the bottom with a kg of butter. The staircase is 8.2 meters long and makes an angle of 43 degrees with the horizontal. The butter reduces his frictional force to 50.0 N. Stavro begins his slide by running, grabbing his carpet, and launching himself on the stairs with a velocity of 4.89 m/s. Determine:

A) John's acceleration (Draw a Force Diagram of the system to help you)
B) How long is takes John to reach the bottom of the stairs
C) John's velocity at the bottom of the stairs


HELP ME PLEASE! i don't really know where to start
Easy! Since it was Stavro who slid down the stairs, John will have no acceleration, will never reach the bottom of the stairs and will have no velocity at the bottom of the stairs!
 
Stavro? i don't understand
 
Stavro is the guy in the problem.
 
ok i see, well if someone could just get me started with the problem it would be great
 

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