Finding displacement with coefficient of friction, mass and velocity

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a physics scenario where a student slides a textbook with a known mass and initial velocity across a surface with friction. The objective is to determine the distance the book travels before coming to a stop due to the frictional force acting on it.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the forces acting on the book, particularly the frictional force and its impact on acceleration. There are questions about how to calculate the net force and whether the net force equals the frictional force. Some participants express uncertainty about how to determine acceleration without knowing the applied force.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different aspects of the problem. Some have suggested calculating the acceleration due to friction, while others are questioning the definitions and relationships between the forces involved. There is no explicit consensus yet on the approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that they have not yet combined the coefficient of friction, mass, and velocity to find the distance, and there are constraints regarding the equations they have been taught to use.

Serendipitydo
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Homework Statement


A physics student slides a 2.0kg textbook along the laboratory bench to her friend. She imparts to the book an initial velocity of 2.70m/s. μ=0.20. How far away is her friend if the book comes to a stop right in front of her friend

Vi= 2.70m/s μ=0.20 m=2.0kg Vf= 0m/s d=?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


We were taught to figure out everything we could possibly figure out, relevant or not.
FN=Ff (no vertical movement)

Ff=μFN
Ff=(0.20)((2.0kg*9.81m/s2))
Ff=20N

Fnet(Fa-Ff)=ma then use Vf2=Vi2+2ad and solve for d? I just don't know how to find Fa or acceleration with the given variables. Is Fnet equal to Ff in the direction opposite of acceleration/Fa? Does that help?

We haven't done anything with μ and mass combined with velocity to find distance.
 
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Serendipitydo said:

Homework Statement


A physics student slides a 2.0kg textbook along the laboratory bench to her friend. She imparts to the book an initial velocity of 2.70m/s. μ=0.20. How far away is her friend if the book comes to a stop right in front of her friend

Vi= 2.70m/s μ=0.20 m=2.0kg Vf= 0m/s d=?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


We were taught to figure out everything we could possibly figure out, relevant or not.
FN=Ff (no vertical movement)

Ff=μFN
Ff=(0.20)((2.0kg*9.81m/s2))
Ff=20N

Fnet(Fa-Ff)=ma then use Vf2=Vi2+2ad and solve for d? I just don't know how to find Fa or acceleration with the given variables. Is Fnet equal to Ff in the direction opposite of acceleration/Fa? Does that help?

We haven't done anything with μ and mass combined with velocity to find distance.
The only equations we have are:
Fnet=ma Fg=mg Ff=μFN
a=(Vf-Vi)/t
Vf2=Vi2+2ad
d=Vit+1/2at2
d=[(Vf+Vi)/2]t
 
The book would keep on sliding along at 2.7 m/sec, except there is a frictional force slowing it down. What is the acceleration (i.e., deceleration) that friction causes to the book? Once you have determined the value for a, the rest is easy.
 
NascentOxygen said:
The book would keep on sliding along at 2.7 m/sec, except there is a frictional force slowing it down. What is the acceleration (i.e., deceleration) that friction causes to the book? Once you have determined the value for a, the rest is easy.
So the acceleration would be negative and friction would influence it. I just don't know what to use to find Fnet, not knowing Fa. Is Fnet -4.0N ? The negative force of friction?
 
Serendipitydo said:
So the acceleration would be negative and friction would influence it. I just don't know what to use to find Fnet, not knowing Fa. Is Fnet -4.0N ? The negative force of friction?
I don't know what you call Fa, but there is only one force acting on the book, and that's friction. The net force acting on the book is -4N.
 

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