Conservative Forces and Friction

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the height (h) of a ramp for a toy rollercoaster that slides down without friction and then crosses a rough patch. The final speed after the rough patch is given as 3.50 m/s, and the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.770. The kinetic energy after crossing the rough patch is calculated using the formula Kf = 1/2mv^2, resulting in 9.188 J. The frictional force is determined using fk = µkN, leading to a work done against friction of 1.132 J. The user realizes they need to relate the initial kinetic energy to the potential energy at height h, ultimately leading to the solution for h.
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Homework Statement



A 1.50 kg toy rollercoaster rests on a ramp of height h. When the toy rollercoaster is released, it slides without friction to the bottom of the ramp, and then continues on a flat surface with a rough patch of width 10.0 cm that has a coefficient of kinetic friction µk = 0.770. Find h such that the toy rollercoaster's speed after crossing the rough patch is 3.50 m/s.


Homework Equations



K = 1/2mv^2
U = mgh

The Attempt at a Solution



Kf = 1/2mv^2 = 1/2(1.5kg)(3.5 m/s)^2
Kf = 9.188

fk = ukN = .77(mg) = 11.319 (multiplied by the distance of .1m = 1.132)

I can't do mgh because I don't know h. I know I probably need to figure out how fast the toy roller coaster was going right before it hit the rough patch, but I can't seem to figure that out without knowing "h" so I am stuck here with no idea where to go.
 
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Change in KE is equal to work down against rough surface. So Ki = Kf + fk*d
And Ki = mgh.
Find h
 
Ahh, brilliant. Thank you so much!
 
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