Kinetic friction Homework Problem

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a kinetic friction problem involving a child sliding down a 28-degree incline. The key equations derived include the net force equation, which accounts for gravitational and frictional forces, leading to the expression for acceleration. The participant calculates the coefficient of kinetic friction by comparing the velocities of the child on a frictional slide versus a frictionless one. There is some confusion about the role of the normal force in the x-direction, but the correct formula for acceleration is affirmed. Ultimately, the coefficient of kinetic friction is determined to be 0.40.
carljohnston2
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Hi there, I need help with understanding this guy's solution thanks!

The kinetic friction force will be up the slide to oppose the motion.
We choose the positive direction in the direction of the acceleration.
From the force diagram for the child, we have ?F = ma:
x-component: mg sin \theta – Ffr = ma;
y-component: FN – mg cos \theta = 0.
When we combine these, we get
a = g sin \theta – \mukg cos \theta = g(sin \theta – \muk cos \theta).
We can use this for the frictionless slide if we set thetak = 0.
For the motion of the child, we have
v2 = v02 + 2a(x – x0) = 0 + 2ad, where d is the distance along the slide.
If we form the ratio for the two slides, we get
(vfriction/vnone)2 = afriction/anone = (sin \theta – \muk cos \theta)/sin \theta;
(!)2 = (sin 28° – \muk cos 28°)/sin 28°, which gives \muk = 0.40.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org


The question is a child slides down a slide with a 28 degree incline and at the bottom her speed is precisely half what it would have been if the slide had been frictionless. Calculate the coefficient of the kinetic friction between the slide and the child.
 


anybody?
 


I analyzed this question and came up with something quite different. You should ask him why a = g sin \theta - \mu kg cos \theta is true. Because I cannot see how the normal force has any role to play in the x direction. As far as I know F _{N} is only related to static friction.
 


r u in gr.2 physics. your ignorant
 


a = gsin(\theta) - \mu kgcos(\theta) is correct.

Which parts do you need help with understanding? Or do you not understand any of it?

First sums up all the forces acting on the child, then finds that the net force to allow the child to move is in the direction parallel down the slide.

He re-writes his equation for acceleration by dividing the RHS by mass. (F = ma).

recognising that the coefficient of kinetic friction is going to be a linear value, he takes a ratio of velocities of the child with friction over the velocity of child without friction (compensating for the factor of two as specified in the question) and let's that equal a ratio of acceleration with friction and without friction.

Then solves for the coefficient
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top