Calculating Thermal Power Produced by Friction for a Sliding Rock

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the average thermal power produced by friction as a 20.0-kg rock slides to a stop on a rough horizontal surface with a coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.200. The rock initially moves at a speed of 8.00 m/s.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various attempts to calculate the average thermal power, including different values and methods. Questions arise regarding the units of power and the reasoning behind the calculations. Some participants express confusion about the application of friction in the context of the problem.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their calculations and questioning each other's reasoning. Some have provided guidance on the relationships between force, power, and friction, while others are still trying to clarify their understanding of the problem setup and calculations.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of consensus on the correct approach, with multiple interpretations of the calculations and the role of friction being explored. Participants are encouraged to explain their thought processes and assumptions, but some details remain unclear.

Thesnail
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Hello, here is the problem I've been stuck on. It seems simple but I am getting the wrong answer. Any help would be appreciated.


A 20.0-kg rock is sliding on a rough, horizontal surface at 8.00 m/s and eventually stops due to friction. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the rock and the surface is 0.200.

What average thermal power is produced as the rock stops?


My answers thus far are
784
1040
427

They were all wrong.
 
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Thesnail said:
Hello, here is the problem I've been stuck on. It seems simple but I am getting the wrong answer. Any help would be appreciated.


A 20.0-kg rock is sliding on a rough, horizontal surface at 8.00 m/s and eventually stops due to friction. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the rock and the surface is 0.200.

What average thermal power is produced as the rock stops?


My answers thus far are
784
1040
427

They were all wrong.
You are right. They are all wrong. Besides, you don't have any units. What are the units of power here?

Perhaps you could explain your thinking first. How did you analyse the problem?

AM
 
Thesnail said:
Hello, here is the problem I've been stuck on. It seems simple but I am getting the wrong answer. Any help would be appreciated.


A 20.0-kg rock is sliding on a rough, horizontal surface at 8.00 m/s and eventually stops due to friction. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the rock and the surface is 0.200.

What average thermal power is produced as the rock stops?


My answers thus far are
784
1040
427

They were all wrong.
How do you think this problem should be done? Your wrong answers do not tell us what you are thinking.
 
Thanks Andrew for responding.

It should be in W.

for DeltaX I did ((1/2)(.2)(9.8*20kg))/8ms that got me the distance 2.45m

Then I solved for acceleration and got 13.0612

Then I solved for force which was 13.0612*20kg = 261.224

I also solved for time which was .6125s

so I did V average of 2.45m/.6125s and got 4ms

So then I had everything I needed. to solve for Power average

P_av= F*V_av

So it was 261.224*4ms = 1044.9

But it said that was wrong? I don't know why.


Thanks, again for responding
 
Thanks you guys for responding to my question. I hope we can figure it out.
 
Okay, I solved it.

it was : ((mg)(friction)(x))/(time)

((9.80)(20)(.2)(2.45)/(.6125s) = 156.8 W
 
Thesnail said:
Okay, I solved it.

it was : ((mg)(friction)(x))/(time)

((9.80)(20)(.2)(2.45)/(.6125s) = 156.8 W

I am not sure how you determined x and time. One way to look at it is:

[tex]P_{avg} = Fv_{avg} = \mu_k mg\Delta v/2 = .2*20*9.8*4 = 156.8 W[/tex]

AM
 
i don't get it...
F=mg
V[tex]_{}ave[/tex]= v/2

but where did the [tex]\mu[/tex] came from?
 
Andrew Mason said:
I am not sure how you determined x and time. One way to look at it is:

[tex]P_{avg} = Fv_{avg} = \mu_k mg\Delta v/2 = .2*20*9.8*4 = 156.8 W[/tex]

AM

what equations did manipulate to arrive at this one [tex]P_{avg} = Fv_{avg} = \mu_k mg\Delta v/2 = .2*20*9.8*4 = 156.8 W[/tex]
 
  • #10
F is not mg. F = umg or in other words the force of friction.
 

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