How Much Potential Energy Is Lost to Friction on an Incline?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a mass sliding down an incline, focusing on the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy, particularly in the context of energy lost to friction. The problem involves calculating kinetic energy and determining the percentage of potential energy that is not converted into kinetic energy due to friction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of kinetic energy and the need to determine the potential energy at the top of the incline. There are questions about how to find the percentage of potential energy lost to friction.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the need to know the height of the incline to calculate potential energy. There are ongoing attempts to clarify the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy, with various interpretations being explored.

Contextual Notes

The height of the incline is noted as 7 cm, and there is a mention of the hypotenuse being 40 cm. There is also a concern about duplicate questions being posted in the thread.

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Homework Statement



A mass 0.40 kg is released and slides down the incline. The maximum velocity ( taken the instant before the mass reaches the bottom of the incline ) is 1.00 m/s. What is the kinetic energy at that time? What percentage of the potential energy of the system is not converted into kinetic energy due to friction? (converted into heat instead)

I don't quite understand how to find out the percent of potential energy lost..thanks for any help!

Homework Equations



I solved for the kinetic energy correctly by using

W=KE=1/2mv^2


The Attempt at a Solution



=1/2(.4)(1)^2
=.2 Joules

i'm not sure about how to solve for the percent of potential energy lost..thanks
 
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You're going to need to know the height to figure the PE.
 
The height is 7 cm (.007 m)
 
Potential Energy!

Homework Statement



A mass 0.40 kg is released and slides down the incline. The maximum velocity ( taken the instant before the mass reaches the bottom of the incline ) is 1.00 m/s. What is the kinetic energy at that time? What percentage of the potential energy of the system is not converted into kinetic energy due to friction? (converted into heat instead)

The height of the incline is 7 cm..and the hypotenuse is 40 cm

I don't quite understand how to find out the percent of potential energy lost..thanks for any help!

Homework Equations



I solved for the kinetic energy correctly by using

W=KE=1/2mv^2


The Attempt at a Solution



=1/2(.4)(1)^2
=.2 Joules

i'm not sure about how to solve for the percent of potential energy lost..thanks!
 
OK. So what is the potential energy available to go to kinetic?

How much does it need to go 1 m/s? Well you found that.

So how much potential isn't accounted for in going to kinetic?
 


What is the potential energy at the top of the inclined plane?
 


Is it .2744 Joules?
 

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