How to Find Coefficient of Kinetic Friction?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the coefficient of kinetic friction for a wagon sliding down a 50° incline and then traveling horizontally. The problem involves understanding the energy conservation principle, where potential energy (PE) at the top of the hill equals the work done against friction. The key equations involve the forces acting on the wagon, including the normal force and frictional forces, which must be analyzed separately for the incline and horizontal surfaces. The relationship between static and kinetic friction is also explored, emphasizing that if static friction is twice that of kinetic friction, the wagon would not move.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of potential energy (PE) and kinetic energy (KE)
  • Knowledge of frictional forces and their calculations
  • Familiarity with coordinate systems in physics problems
  • Ability to draw and interpret free-body diagrams
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of energy conservation in physics
  • Learn how to calculate frictional forces on inclined planes
  • Explore the differences between static and kinetic friction
  • Practice drawing free-body diagrams for complex motion scenarios
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics, as well as educators looking for examples of friction and energy problems in real-world scenarios.

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Homework Statement



A man is pulling a wagon up a 50° up a hill. His nephew of in unknown mass sits in the wagon. After pulling the wagon 30 meters up the incline, the man slips and falls releasing the wagon. The sled, starting from rest, slides down the incline. After traveling 30 meters the sled travels 50 meters on a wide open horizontal surface before finally coming to a stop. Assuming the coefficient of friction is the same throughout the entire problem, find the coefficient of kinetic friction. If the coefficient of static friction between the wagon and the ground was twice the coefficient of kinetic friction, would the wagon move at all?

Hint: Treat this as two different parts with two different coordinate systems.

Hint: The speed the wagon reaches at the bottom of the hill is the dame speed the wagon starts with when traveling on the ground.

Homework Equations



Idk?

The Attempt at a Solution



I don't know where to start on this problem :confused:. Can you guys help at all?
 
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Wow, an interesting one! Welcome to PF, Physics Girl.
I'm still wondering if it is a wagon or a sled.
It is clearly an energy problem because of the PE and friction.
The big picture is
PE at the top of the hill = work done against friction
and there is the friction going down the hill and the friction along the flat to be done separately. Each is basically a W = F*d. The F is the force of friction. On the hill, the normal force is not the weight, but the component of weight pushing normal (perpendicular) to the hill.
See what you can do with it; start with the big picture and fill in the details! You will certainly need a diagram of the hill - put the mass right at the top; makes it easier to draw the mg down and show its normal and parallel components forming a triangle with the full mg.
 

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