Calculating Forces and Accelerations

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The discussion revolves around calculating forces and accelerations in various physics scenarios. Participants analyze problems involving gravitational force, friction coefficients, spring constants, and sled motion on different surfaces. Key corrections include the need to calculate distance from the Earth's center using Newton's law of gravity, determining the coefficient of friction rather than mass, and using energy methods for sled speed calculations. Some answers provided were incorrect or incomplete, particularly in the application of formulas and units. Overall, the thread emphasizes the importance of precise calculations and understanding of physics principles.
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1.A 25.0 kg object is attracted towards the Earth by a force of gravity of 75.0 N. How far from the Earth's centre is it?

my answer: g=Fg/m g=75N/25kg g=3 N/kg

2. A 250 kg freezer is being pushed across the floor at a constant speed by a force of 750N. What is the coefficient of friction between freezer and floor?

my answer: Fg=mg Fg=250kg(9.8N) Fg=2450kg/N
m=Fapplied/Fg m=750N/2450kg/N m=0.31kg

3. A piece cut from a bicycle inner tube is 0.70m long when it carries a load of 25.0 N the spring constant is 300 N/m. What will the length of the piece of rubber when the load is 75.0N?

my answer: F=Kx F=300N/m / 75.0N F=4m in length

4. A 60.0kg sled is coasting with a constant speed of 10.0m/s over smooth ice. It enters a 6m stretch of rough ice where the force of friction is 120N. With what speed does the sled emerge from the rough ice?

my answer: m=Ffr/Fn m=120N/588N m=0.2kg
a=?

5. A force of 5.0N gives a mass m1 and acceleration of 8.0m/s^2 and the same force gives mass m2 an acceleration of 24.0m/s^2. What acceleration would it give the two when they are fastened together?

my answer: a=Fnet/m a=5.0N/0.833kg a=6.0m/s^2

m1=(5.0N) / (8.0m/s^2) m1=0.625kg m2=(5.0N) / (24.0m/s^2) m2=0.208k

please tell me if i messed up anywhere
 
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physica said:
1.A 25.0 kg object is attracted towards the Earth by a force of gravity of 75.0 N. How far from the Earth's centre is it?

my answer: g=Fg/m g=75N/25kg g=3 N/kg
Hi physica.
You don't seem to have answered the question here. You are asked for a distance and end with g=3 N/kg.
g is the gravitational constant which is used on the surface of the earth.
To find the approximate distance from the center of the earth, use Newton's law of gravity:
F_g=G\frac{mM}{r^2}

2. A 250 kg freezer is being pushed across the floor at a constant speed by a force of 750N. What is the coefficient of friction between freezer and floor?

my answer: Fg=mg Fg=250kg(9.8N) Fg=2450kg/N
m=Fapplied/Fg m=750N/2450kg/N m=0.31kg
Once again. You are not asked to give a mass, but a coefficient of friction.
Use F_f=\mu N, where F_f is the frictional force and N is the normal force.
3. A piece cut from a bicycle inner tube is 0.70m long when it carries a load of 25.0 N the spring constant is 300 N/m. What will the length of the piece of rubber when the load is 75.0N?

my answer: F=Kx F=300N/m / 75.0N F=4m in length
The unit of F is not meters...
(One way to check whether you did it right is to ask yourself: "Does the answer I obtained make sense?")

Use F=k(x-x0) to find x0 from the given data (x-x0, k and F are given). Then apply it again with F=75.0 N to find x-x0 for the second case.
 
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are the rest right?
 
physica said:
4. A 60.0kg sled is coasting with a constant speed of 10.0m/s over smooth ice. It enters a 6m stretch of rough ice where the force of friction is 120N. With what speed does the sled emerge from the rough ice?

my answer: m=Ffr/Fn m=120N/588N m=0.2kg
a=?
There are different ways to solve this one. I'd use an energy approach.
Since m and v at the beginning are given, you can calculate the kinetic energy 1/2mv^2.
The friction does negative work on the sled: W=Fd.
So you from this you know the kinetic energy at the end. you can get v from this.
5. A force of 5.0N gives a mass m1 and acceleration of 8.0m/s^2 and the same force gives mass m2 an acceleration of 24.0m/s^2. What acceleration would it give the two when they are fastened together?

my answer: a=Fnet/m a=5.0N/0.833kg a=6.0m/s^2

m1=(5.0N) / (8.0m/s^2) m1=0.625kg m2=(5.0N) / (24.0m/s^2) m2=0.208k
That's correct :smile:
 
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