# Force of gravity question

1. Jul 22, 2011

### NeomiXD

Fred (60 kg) is rollerblading at a velocity of 25 km/h [E] when he sees a broken glass bottle on the path ahead. He brakes and is slowed to a velocity of 8 km/h [E] in 4.2 s. What is the coefficient of friction between Fred's rollerblades and the ground? (Hint: Find FN and Ff first.)

Given:

m = 60 kg
v1 = 25km/h = 6.94m/s [E]
v2 = 8km/h = 2.20m/s [E]
Δt = 4.2s
g = 9.8 N/kg

Required:

?

Solution:

Fg = mg
Fg = (60kg) (9.8 N/kg)
Fg = 588 N

FN = Fg
FN = 588 N
Ff ≤ µs FN
Ff ≤ µs (588 N)

???????

I don't know what to do after.
µs is not given, so how do you solve this question?

2. Jul 22, 2011

His initial kinetic energy must be equal to his final kinetic energy plus the amount of energy lost due to friction. So the amount of energy lost to friction is $E_{ki} - E_{kf}$ which is equal to $mg\mu d$. Now you were given time instead of distance, but if you can assume constant deceleration, you could get d.

3. Jul 22, 2011

### Staff: Mentor

Hints: What's the skater's acceleration while applying the brakes? How much force is needed to create such an acceleration?

4. Jul 22, 2011

### NeomiXD

Am I looking fo µs or µk?

5. Jul 22, 2011

I would say you're looking for $\mu k$, as $\mu s$ is only applicable when masses have zero velocity. To solve for $\mu s$, you need to be told how much force is being applied to a body at rest when it just starts to budge.

6. Jul 22, 2011

### NeomiXD

So, if I'm solving for µk, how do I find Ff (the force of friction)? What formula do I have to use?

7. Jul 22, 2011

The force of friction is equal to the normal force multiplied by the kinetic coefficient of friction. The normal force is equal (in magnitude, but opposite in direction) to the force pulling the object down, namely, mg.

8. Jul 22, 2011

### SammyS

Staff Emeritus
If the wheels on the roller-blades do not skid on the ground, then you are working with µs. If the wheels are skidding, then you have µk .

9. Jul 22, 2011

### wbandersonjr

Think kinematics. You have an initial velocity, a final velocity, and a time. Use this information to find the magnitude of the acceleration.