Find acceleration only given distance of slop and angle of elevation.

[avsj]

Homework Statement

A puck is let go on the top of a frictionless slope. The slope is length .74 m and 3.5 degrees above the horizontal. What is the acceleration and how long does it take the puck to go down the slope?

Homework Equations

Fnet=ma
Fg=mg?

The Attempt at a Solution

If I was given m, I could just draw a free body diagram and find Fnet down the slope and then use m to find acceleration using Fnet=ma

Without mass, I am quite lost? Can it be done?

 

[Doc Al]

You don't need a specific value for mass to draw a free body diagram--just call it "m". Hint: Perhaps the answer doesn't depend on m.

 

[robphy]

Although you're not given an explicit value for m,
can you attempt to solve the problem assuming a nonzero value for m?
If you can, you might see why an explicit value wasn't given.

[ doh... i hesistated too long [by rereading my post] ]

 

[avsj]

Thanks Doc Al :D