How Do You Calculate Speed at the Bottom of a Hill Considering Friction?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a bike traveling down a hill, with specific parameters including mass, initial speed, height of the hill, length of the hill, and the force of friction. The original poster seeks to calculate the speed at the bottom of the hill while considering the effects of friction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of conservation of mechanical energy and the role of friction in the calculations. There is uncertainty about how to incorporate the work done by friction and the correct interpretation of the variables involved.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on using conservation of energy principles and have pointed out the need to determine the distance traveled to calculate the work done by friction. There is an ongoing exploration of how to properly define and apply the concepts involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the lack of similar problems in the original poster's textbook and express confusion regarding the integration of friction into the energy calculations. There is an emphasis on ensuring that the dimensions of the terms used in the equations correspond correctly.

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Speed at the bottom of a hill - Please help!

Homework Statement


Bike (mass 40kg) traveling down a hill. Speed at the top of the hill is 5.0 m/s. The hill is 10m high and 100m long. Force of friction is 20N, what is the speed at the bottom?


Homework Equations


The only formula I've tried is v(final) = Sq. rt. of 2gy(initial). I don't know what y is, where friction plays into this and obviously I'm not getting the answer. Please help!


The Attempt at a Solution


I have converted the units to kg, and m, and drawn a picture. I know that the answer is 11 m/s but there isn't a formula or very similar problem in my book. (The only similar problem doesn't account for friction so I don't really know where to begin.
 
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lonlyincolleg said:

Homework Statement


Bike (mass 40kg) traveling down a hill. Speed at the top of the hill is 5.0 m/s. The hill is 10m high and 100m long. Force of friction is 20N, what is the speed at the bottom?


Homework Equations


The only formula I've tried is v(final) = Sq. rt. of 2gy(initial). I don't know what y is, where friction plays into this and obviously I'm not getting the answer. Please help!


The Attempt at a Solution


I have converted the units to kg, and m, and drawn a picture. I know that the answer is 11 m/s but there isn't a formula or very similar problem in my book. (The only similar problem doesn't account for friction so I don't really know where to begin.

Conservation of mechanical energy:

[tex]K_i+U_i-\vec{W}=K_f+U_f[/tex].
 


asleight said:
Conservation of mechanical energy:

[tex]K_i+U_i-\vec{W}=K_f+U_f[/tex].

W should be positive, not negative, and it's the work done by friction.
 


You will have to know the distance traveled by the bike to know the amount of work done by friction. Find that out from your picture. After that use that energy is conservated as suggested. Be wary of how you define your friction. Look at the dimensions of your terms, they should always correspond. The total energy before (at the top of the hill) should equal the total energy after (including the work done by friction during the ride).
 

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