Calculating Forces and Accelerations

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating forces, accelerations, and related concepts in physics. The original poster presents several problems involving gravitational force, friction, spring constants, and motion, seeking feedback on their reasoning and calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply formulas related to gravity, friction, and spring mechanics but receives feedback questioning the appropriateness of their answers and the methods used.
  • Some participants question the original poster's understanding of the distance from the Earth's center and the coefficient of friction, suggesting alternative approaches and formulas.
  • There is a suggestion to use energy methods for analyzing the sled's motion through rough ice.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the original poster's calculations, providing corrections and alternative methods. While some parts of the discussion have received positive feedback, there is no explicit consensus on all problems, indicating ongoing exploration of the topics.

Contextual Notes

The original poster is seeking clarification on their answers, indicating a desire for deeper understanding. There are also indications of confusion regarding the application of certain physics principles and formulas.

physica
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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.
 
Last edited:
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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