Dynamics Question #2: Calculate Force, Acceleration, Speed

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In summary, the diagram shows the forces acting on a child on a slide. Air resistance is negligible, so the child experiences a constant acceleration. The child's mass is 40kg, so the force acting on her is 392.4N. The friction force is 90N, so the child's speed at the bottom of the slide is 4.38 ms^{-1}.
  • #1
looi76
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Homework Statement


The diagram shows the forces acting on a child on a playground slide. Air resistance is negligible.
http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/6035/403jc7.png​
[/URL]

(a) The mass of the child is 40kg.
(i) Calculate the size of the force W.
(ii) Describe the force that, along with W, makes up the 'equal and opposite pair' of forces described by Newton's third law.

(b) The size of the friction force is 90N.
(i) Calculate the component of W parallel to the slide.
(ii) Calculate the acceleration of the child.

(c) The slide is 5.5m long. If the child maintains this acceleration, calculate her speed at the bottom.

Homework Equations


[tex]F = m.a[/tex]
Frictional Force [tex]= F - mg\sin\theta[/tex]
Normal Force = [tex]N_{normal force} = mg\cos\theta[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


(a)(i) [tex]m = 40kg[/tex]
[tex]F = m.a[/tex]
[tex]F = 40 \times 9.81[/tex]
[tex]F = 392.4N[/tex]

(ii)?

(b)(i) Frictional Fore [tex]= 90N[/tex]
F [tex]= mg\sin\theta[/tex]
F [tex]= 40 \times 9.81 \times \sin{24}[/tex]
F [tex]= 159.60[/tex]
F [tex]= 159.60 - 90[/tex]
F [tex]= 69.6N[/tex]

Are my answers correct? I need to be sure to continue...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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  • #2
looi76 said:

Homework Statement


The diagram shows the forces acting on a child on a playground slide. Air resistance is negligible.
http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/6035/403jc7.png​
[/URL]

(a) The mass of the child is 40kg.
(i) Calculate the size of the force W.
(ii) Describe the force that, along with W, makes up the 'equal and opposite pair' of forces described by Newton's third law.

(b) The size of the friction force is 90N.
(i) Calculate the component of W parallel to the slide.
(ii) Calculate the acceleration of the child.

(c) The slide is 5.5m long. If the child maintains this acceleration, calculate her speed at the bottom.

Homework Equations


[tex]F = m.a[/tex]
Frictional Force [tex]= F - mg\sin\theta[/tex]
Normal Force = [tex]N_{normal force} = mg\cos\theta[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


(a)(i) [tex]m = 40kg[/tex]
[tex]F = m.a[/tex]
[tex]F = 40 \times 9.81[/tex]
[tex]F = 392.4N[/tex]

(ii)?

(b)(i) Frictional Fore [tex]= 90N[/tex]
F [tex]= mg\sin\theta[/tex]
F [tex]= 40 \times 9.81 \times \sin{24}[/tex]
F [tex]= 159.60[/tex]
F [tex]= 159.60 - 90[/tex]
F [tex]= 69.6N[/tex]

Are my answers correct? I need to be sure to continue...
Without checking your arithmetic, your methods thus far are good.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #3
Thnx Hootenanny,

(b)(ii) [tex]F = m.a[/tex]

[tex]a = \frac{F}{m} = \frac{69.6}{40} = 1.7475 ms^{-2}[/tex]

(c) [tex]v^2 = u^2 + 2as[/tex]
[tex]v^2 = 2 \times 1.7475 \times 5.5[/tex]
[tex]v = \sqrt{2 \times 1.7475 \times 5.5}[/tex]
[tex]v = 4.38 ms^{-1}[/tex]


Are my answers correct?
 
  • #4
looi76 said:
Thnx Hootenanny,

(b)(ii) [tex]F = m.a[/tex]

[tex]a = \frac{F}{m} = \frac{69.6}{40} = 1.7475 ms^{-2}[/tex]

(c) [tex]v^2 = u^2 + 2as[/tex]
[tex]v^2 = 2 \times 1.7475 \times 5.5[/tex]
[tex]v = \sqrt{2 \times 1.7475 \times 5.5}[/tex]
[tex]v = 4.38 ms^{-1}[/tex]


Are my answers correct?
Again your methods are correct, but I ain't checking your arithmetic for you :wink:
 
  • #5
Thnx Hootenanny, just wanted to make sure that in part (b)(ii) using sin was correct rather than cos?
 
  • #6
looi76 said:
Thnx Hootenanny, just wanted to make sure that in part (b)(ii) using sin was correct rather than cos?
Yes, sine of the angle with give you the component parallel to the slope, whereas cosine of the angle will give you the component perpendicular to the slope.
 
  • #7
The vector N in the diagram has no purpose in this question?!
 
  • #8
looi76 said:
The vector N in the diagram has no purpose in this question?!
Nope it is not relevant for this question, it is merely shown for completeness I guess.
 

Related to Dynamics Question #2: Calculate Force, Acceleration, Speed

1) What is the formula for calculating force?

The formula for calculating force is force = mass x acceleration, or F=ma.

2) How do you calculate acceleration?

Acceleration can be calculated by dividing the change in velocity by the change in time, or a=Δv/Δt.

3) What units are used to measure force, acceleration, and speed?

Force is measured in Newtons (N), acceleration is measured in meters per second squared (m/s^2), and speed is measured in meters per second (m/s).

4) Can you calculate speed without knowing the force or acceleration?

No, speed cannot be calculated without knowing the force and acceleration. These factors are all interrelated and must be known in order to accurately calculate any of them.

5) How does an increase in force affect acceleration and speed?

An increase in force will result in an increase in acceleration, assuming the mass remains constant. This increase in acceleration will also lead to an increase in speed over time.

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