How Far Will an Object Slide Due to Friction?

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The discussion revolves around calculating the distance an object will slide before stopping due to friction. The object has a mass of 10 kg and an initial speed of 10 m/s, with a friction coefficient of 0.1. Participants clarify that the correct approach involves using the formula for acceleration, which should be derived from the force of friction rather than multiplying mass by force. They suggest utilizing kinematic equations to relate distance, initial speed, and acceleration, emphasizing the need to find a formula that directly calculates distance without introducing additional variables. The conversation highlights the importance of correctly identifying units and applying the right physics principles to solve the problem effectively.
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Homework Statement


There is an object that is 10kg. This objects initial speed is 10 m/s. The friction working against the object is .1---What is the distance to when the object stops moving?

Homework Equations




The Attempt at a Solution



u(k)= f(k)/N...The N, i think, is 100 because of the gravity (10) and the weight of the object (10). Then i had to multiply that by the U(k), (.1), which gave me 10. Then i used f=ma. The mass is 10 kg and the force is 10, which gave me the acceleration of 100 m/s, which does not make sense.

I did not know where to go from there.
 
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mongojerry36 said:
Then i used f=ma. The mass is 10 kg and the force is 10, which gave me the acceleration of 100 m/s, which does not make sense.
Why did you multiply mass times force to get acceleration? (Rewrite "F=ma" to solve for the acceleration.)
 
Ok...But that will only give me 1 m/s. How would I then solve to find how far the object will go until it stops.
thanks
 
mongojerry36 said:
Ok...But that will only give me 1 m/s. How would I then solve to find how far the object will go until it stops.
thanks
Since you've gone to the trouble of finding acceleration, you may as well use it. What kinematic formula relates distance to speed and acceleration?

If you've covered energy methods, you can also calculate the work done by friction to bring the object to rest. Same answer, of course, but it might be easier.

(Also: The unit for acceleration is m/s^2, not m/s--that's velocity.)
 
Maybe d=st...but I only know speed.
 
x = x_0 + v_0 t + (1/2) a t^2
 
will that work?
 
Since you don't have the time, if you use that formula you'll need to use another one to find the time.

But there's another formula that has exactly what you need with no extra variables. That will allow you to solve for distance in one step. Find it.
 
  • #10
Velocity - initial velocity / acceleration = time...So the velocity would be 1 - 10 divided by 10...Am I right? which would give you .9...?
 
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