Conservation of Energy and coefficients of friction

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the average coefficient of friction for a skier gliding up an incline using the conservation of energy principle. A participant initially struggles with the problem but later confirms that the correct coefficient is 0.23. They mention that the conservation of energy theorem is applicable, but they initially miscalculated the normal force, which led to confusion. Another user suggests a formula involving the coefficient of friction and the limiting force. Ultimately, the correct approach involves accurately determining the normal force to apply the conservation of energy effectively.
chem07
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Try this problem:
A skier traveling 11 m/s reaches the foot of a steady upward 17 degree incline and glides 12 meters upward along this slope before coming to rest. Calculate the average coefficient of friction.

I've tried using the Conservation of energy theorem, but it is not working. Is there an easier way? By the way, the correct coefficient should be 0.23.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF!
"Energy" should work just fine; post what you've done.
 
Have you tried doing: coefficient of friction = Flim/R ?? I don't really know much about it, it's just the way I was taught to tackle something like this at AS level.
 
Last edited:
I finally did figure out the correct answer to this problem. I was using the conservation of energy theorem correctly, but had calculated the incorrect normal force (friction force= coefficient of friction*normal force).
 

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
View full post »

Similar threads

Variable friction on an inclined plane and maximum velocity
Replies
33
Views
3K
Distance travelled by a car considering only air friction?
Replies
4
Views
2K
A ball climbing a ramp while "rolling the wrong way"
Replies
32
Views
3K
Calculating Speed on an Incline Using the Law of Conservation of Energy
Replies
5
Views
1K
How Do You Calculate the Coefficient of Friction for a Skier on an Incline?
Replies
3
Views
5K
What's the coefficient of kinetic friction?
Replies
8
Views
3K
Problem of spring block system: force vs conservation of energy
Replies
20
Views
3K
Combine conservation of mechanical energy with the work-ener
Replies
1
Views
1K
Question Concerning The Coefficient of Friction: Block on a Rough Inclined Plane
Replies
5
Views
2K
Average coefficient of friction
Replies
1
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top