Coefficient of Friction of a baseball player

AI Thread Summary
To determine how far a baseball player slides into third base, start by applying Newton's second law, using the coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.36 and the initial speed of 8.35 m/s. The weight of the player can be represented as "mg," allowing the mass to cancel out in calculations. Kinematic equations can then be used to find the distance slid before coming to rest. The discussion emphasizes that the mass is not necessary for solving the problem, as the frictional force can be calculated without it. Overall, understanding the relationship between friction, acceleration, and kinematics is key to solving the problem.
wind522
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Question:
A baseball player slides into third base with an initial speed of 8.35 m/s. If the coefficient of kinetic friction between the player and the ground is 0.36, how far does the player slide before coming to rest?

How would I start this problem?? I would use Ff=uFn but it doesn't even give the weight of the player..
And would I have to use one of the kinematics problems to find the distance? If so, how would I find acceleration or final velocity?
 
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wind522 said:
Question:
A baseball player slides into third base with an initial speed of 8.35 m/s. If the coefficient of kinetic friction between the player and the ground is 0.36, how far does the player slide before coming to rest?

How would I start this problem?? I would use Ff=uFn but it doesn't even give the weight of the player..
And would I have to use one of the kinematics problems to find the distance? If so, how would I find acceleration or final velocity?
Perhaps you don't need the mass, try using Newton's second law and see what happens :wink:. And yes, kinematic equations (after using Newton's second law) sounds like a good idea.
 
In other words, just write "mg" for the weight of the player and hope the "m" cancels out!
 
How could I use Newton's second law of motion without knowing what any of the variables stand for?
 
wind522 said:
How could I use Newton's second law of motion without knowing what any of the variables stand for?
I'm sure you do know what the variables stand for. Start by writing out Newton's second law and filling in any information that you know.
 
I got it! Thank you guys so much for helping! :biggrin:
 
wind522 said:
I got it! Thank you guys so much for helping! :biggrin:
No problem, we didn't really do much anyway!
 
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