Force Applied to an Object with friction

AI Thread Summary
A 2kg block is moving across a flat surface with a friction coefficient of 0.2, and a force of 10N is applied. The net force after accounting for friction is calculated to be 6.08N, resulting in an acceleration of 3.04 m/s². After applying the force for 5 seconds, the block's speed reaches 15.2 m/s, and the distance traveled is determined to be approximately 38 meters using the kinematic equation. The discussion emphasizes the importance of clearly stating initial conditions and using proper equations to avoid confusion between distance, speed, and acceleration. Overall, the calculations and understanding of motion under force and friction are clarified through collaborative problem-solving.
EnDev
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Homework Statement



2kg block moving across a flat surface with a friciton coefficient of .2

a. If 10N force applied what is acceleration

b How fast will the block move if the force is applied for 5seonds

c. how far will the block have traveled after 5 seconds

Homework Equations



Not sure...

The Attempt at a Solution



So after applying friction i get a net force of 6.08 Newtons. plug that back into F = M*A
giving an accelration of 3.04 m/s2 , Not sure if i Square root the 3.04 to get 1.74 m/s so that i get the acceleration. then if the force is applied for 5 seconds then 1.74 * 5 to get 8.7 m/s

and after 5 seconds the block would travel 40.35 meters??
 
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EnDev said:
So after applying friction i get a net force of 6.08 Newtons. plug that back into F = M*A
giving an accelration of 3.04 m/s2 , Not sure if i Square root the 3.04 to get 1.74 m/s so that i get the acceleration.
Why would you take the square root?

You don't say what the initial velocity is, which is needed to solve the second and third parts of the problem.
 
Ok, scratch that then, but there would be no velocity as the object is at rest until the force is applied.
 
EnDev said:
Ok, scratch that then, but there would be no velocity as the object is at rest until the force is applied.
This is five seconds after applying the force, so it has been accelerating at 3.04 m/s2 for 5 seconds. An acceleration of 3.04 m/s2 means that each second it travels... how much faster?
 
so 3.04 * 5 = 15.2 m/s the object is traveling after 5 seconds?

or would 15.2 be the distance it traveeled after 5 seconds?
 
Wait, it would still travel at 3.04 m/s right? no matter the distance?

and after 5 secs it would travel 15.2 meters
 
EnDev said:
so 3.04 * 5 = 15.2 m/s the object is traveling after 5 seconds?
Yes.
or would 15.2 be the distance it traveeled after 5 seconds?
You seem quite confused about distance versus speed versus acceleration.
If it accelerates at 3.04 m/s2 then each second it gets 3.04m/s faster. "3.04 metres per second, per second." After 1 second it's speed is 3.04 m/s. After 2 seconds it's 6.08 m/s... You might keep track of it better if you include the units as though they're algebraic variables: 3.04 m/s2 * 5 s = 15.4 m/s; m/s2 * s = m/s.
What kinematic equation do you know relating distance to time and to constant acceleration?
 
would it be d = v^i*t + 1/2*a*t^2 ?
 
so the block would have traveled 35.60 meters?
 
  • #10
EnDev said:
so the block would have traveled 35.60 meters?
Not quite. You have
x = \frac{1}{2} at^2 = \frac{1}{2} (3.04)(5)^2 = \:?
assuming the initial position and velocity were zero.
 
  • #11
EnDev said:
there would be no velocity as the object is at rest until the force is applied.
You need to put things like that in the statement of the problem. It is best to quote the problem exactly, rather than try to paraphrase it, because it is possible to misinterpret a problem (you didn't here, but it can happen). If you quote exactly, others might catch the misinterpretation.
 
  • #12
tms said:
You need to put things like that in the statement of the problem. It is best to quote the problem exactly, rather than try to paraphrase it, because it is possible to misinterpret a problem (you didn't here, but it can happen). If you quote exactly, others might catch the misinterpretation.

I apologize for that.


but as for the equation i get 38meters.

Im going to work on the next one to be sure that I've got this down.

thanks for the help!
 
  • #13
EnDev said:
I apologize for that.
No need to apologize.
but as for the equation i get 38meters.
That's what I got.
 
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