Package A Races Down the Ramp: How Long Does it Take?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving two packages sliding down a ramp inclined at 20 degrees. The problem specifies the masses and coefficients of friction for each package but does not clarify the interaction between them.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the clarity of the problem, particularly regarding whether package B influences the motion of package A. There are attempts to analyze the forces acting on package A, including gravitational and frictional forces, and to derive acceleration from these forces.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants questioning the initial conditions and assumptions of the problem. Some guidance on resolving forces and calculating acceleration has been provided, but no consensus has been reached regarding the interaction between the packages or the clarity of the problem statement.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the information provided is limited, and there is ambiguity regarding the relationship between the two packages as they slide down the ramp.

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Two packages at UPS start sliding down the 20 degree ramp.Package A has a mass of 5.0kg and a coefficient of friction of 0.20. Package B has a mass of 10 kg and a coefficient of 0.15. how long does it take package A to reach the bottom?

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The question isn't very clear; does package B push on package A and help it accelerate?
 
that's all I'm given...
 
tan(20) =0.36 > 0.2, so the sliding that just started will continue.
So resolve the mass into a normal and a downward (along the slide) component.
Subtract the frictional force will give you the downward force.
Dividing the force by the mass gives the acceleration.
Use the usual formulae for acceleration as a function of distance and speed to find the time required to travel the down ramp of length L.
 

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