Force on rope and acceleration

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
1 reply · 2K views
72beeflee
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
1. A 32 kg girl and an 8.4 kg sled are on the frictionless ice of a frozen lake, 16 m apart bu connected by a rope of negligible mass. The girl exerts a horozontal 5.0 force on the rope. How far from the girl's initial position do they meet?

2. Fnet=ma

3. The Attempt at a Solution :
Acceleration of girl = F/m = 5/32 = .156 m/s^2.
Acceleration of sled = F/m = 5/8.4 = .595 m/s^2.
I've been trying to use constant acceleration equations but I feel like I don't have enough information...
 
Physics news on Phys.org


Welcome to PF, bee.
For a moment look at it from the point of view of the girl. The sleigh appears to be accelerating toward her at .156 + .595. Use d = Vi*t + ½at² to find the time it takes to cover the distance. Once you have the time to meeting, go back to the outside point of view and work with just the girl's motion for that time.