Solving Friction Question: Child on Stair Rail w/ 40 Degree Angle

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In summary, a child with a mass of 25 kg sits on a freshly oiled, straight stair rail that is frictionless. The rail makes a 40 degree angle with the ground and the child slides 4.0 m before reaching the bottom. The equation f=ma is used to solve for the child's speed at the bottom. However, the attempt at a solution using .1(9.8)(sin30) and setting it equal to .1a=.1(9.8)sin30 resulted in a value of 4.9 m/s/s, which is different from the actual answer of 7.1 m/s/s. The correct equation for this problem may be missing.
  • #1
runningirl
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Homework Statement



A child sits on a freshly oiled, straight stair rail that is frictionless. She has a mass of 25 kg and the rail makes a 40 degree angle with the ground. IF she slides 4.0 m before reaching the bottom, what is her speed there?

Homework Equations



f=ma

The Attempt at a Solution



I did .1(9.8)(sin30)
then i set it equal to .1a=.1(9.8)sin30
and got 4.9 m/s/s but the actual answer is 7.1 m/s/s?
where did i go wrong?
 
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  • #2
Firstly, if it is frictionless then it is not a friction problem lol. What other equation do you think you need to solve this?
 

What is friction?

Friction is a force that opposes motion between two surfaces that are in contact with each other. It is caused by the roughness or irregularities of the surfaces and can slow down or stop the movement of objects.

What is the angle of the stair rail in this scenario?

The angle of the stair rail in this scenario is 40 degrees.

How does the angle of the stair rail affect the friction?

The angle of the stair rail affects the friction by increasing the normal force, which is the force perpendicular to the surface of the rail. This increased normal force results in a stronger frictional force, making it harder for the child to slide down the rail.

What factors can affect the amount of friction in this scenario?

There are several factors that can affect the amount of friction in this scenario, including the weight of the child, the material of the stair rail, the surface of the rail (smooth or rough), and the angle of the rail.

How can friction be reduced in this scenario?

To reduce friction in this scenario, you can try using a smoother material for the stair rail, such as metal or plastic, instead of a rough material like wood. Additionally, you can decrease the angle of the stair rail, which will result in a smaller normal force and therefore a weaker frictional force.

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