Finding velocity (deals with coefficient of kinetic energy)

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mandaa123
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Homework Statement



Police lieutenants, examining the scene of an accident involving two cars, measure the skid marks of one of the cars, which nearly came to a stop before colliding, to be 85 m long. The coefficient of kinetic friction between rubber and the pavement is about 0.70. Estimate the initial speed of that car assuming a level road.



Homework Equations


Fnet=ma
Ff=(coefficient of kinetic energy) Fn
vf = vi + at

The Attempt at a Solution


i have no idea what to do since none of the formulas work with the knowns.
 
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mandaa123 said:

Homework Statement



Police lieutenants, examining the scene of an accident involving two cars, measure the skid marks of one of the cars, which nearly came to a stop before colliding, to be 85 m long. The coefficient of kinetic friction between rubber and the pavement is about 0.70. Estimate the initial speed of that car assuming a level road.

Homework Equations


Fnet=ma
Ff=(coefficient of kinetic energy) Fn
vf = vi + at

The Attempt at a Solution


i have no idea what to do since none of the formulas work with the knowns.

You should also know this formula

V2 = 2*a*x

It among others can be found here:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=905663&postcount=2

You also know that the force on the car from friction is m*a = u*m*g

Which means that a = u*g

V2 = 2*a*x = 2*u*g*x
 
mandaa123 said:
what does x represent in that formula?

Doesn't the problem say that it decelerated over a distance of 85 m ?

Wouldn't you want to know how much the car decelerated over that distance to give you an idea of what velocity it slowed from?