How High Does the Crate Reach on the Inclined Plane?

[Leesh09]

Homework Statement

1. A crate with scientific equipment slides down a curved frictionless side of lunar crater of the depth h, and then up along the other side which is an inclined plane as in Figure 2. The coefficient of kinetic friction between crate and incline is k, and the inclined side makes an angle θ with the horizontal. Use energy methods to find the maximum height ymax reached by the crate.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

The equation I have come up with so far is mgy=mgh-(Mu sub k *n)y/sin(theta)

I know this is correct, but how would one calculate what the normal force would be? or is it sufficient to simply solve for y?

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi Leesh09!

(btw, you shouldn't really call it g should you? )

… how would one calculate what the normal force would be? or is it sufficient to simply solve for y?

Yes, you do need to know N.

Hint: there's zero acceleration normal to the incline.