Physics Problem with Spring Constant and Kinetic Friction

AI Thread Summary
A 36kg object is pulled at a steady speed of 1.3m/s using a spring that stretches 3.4cm. The relationship between the spring force and kinetic friction is established through the equations F=ma, Fk=μkN, and Fspring=-kx. Since the acceleration is zero at steady speed, the forces balance, leading to the equation 0=-kx+μkN. The normal force is calculated as 36kg multiplied by 9.8m/s², and the distance is converted to meters for calculations. The final ratio of the spring constant to the kinetic friction coefficient is determined to be approximately 10,376.47, with a reminder to include units in the answer.
Q7heng
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Homework Statement


A person attaches a spring to an cubic object that weighs 36kg and pulls this object along a table made of material X horizontally with a steady speed of 1.3m/s. The spring stretches a distance of 3.4cm. Find the ratio of the spring constant to the kinetic friction coefficient.

Homework Equations


I suppose FkkN
Fspring=-kx
F=ma
Not sure if any other ones are needed, but I couldn't find a way to solve this and get a reasonable answer.
 
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Q7heng said:
steady speed of 1.3m/s
What does this information tell you?
 
Bystander said:
What does this information tell you?
I'm not sure, but I tried to apply it to the F=MA formula... Am I on track?
 
Q7heng said:
I'm not sure, but I tried to apply it to the F=MA formula... Am I on track?
Okay, we'll work it through that way: "Steady speed" means what in terms of "A?"
 
Bystander said:
Okay, we'll work it through that way: "Steady speed" means what in terms of "A?"
Acceleration=0 at steady speed, but the trouble I'm having is converting everything to Newtons, since spring constant is Newtons/meter, and kinetic friction coefficient is Force of Kinetic Friction/Normal Force. The problem didn't give any units related to those calculations, maybe there is a way to convert it but I have yet figured it out/learned it.
 
Q7heng said:
I suppose Fk=μkN
This looks perfectly useful. What's the normal force?
Q7heng said:
Fspring=-kx
Nothing wrong with this.
You aren't required to generate a numerical answer for every problem on the planet. Sometimes it's just a matter of coming up with a symbolic expression.
 
Q7heng said:
Acceleration=0
FkkN
Fspring=-kx
F=ma
All good so far. Now, what is the relationship between F, Fk and Fspring?
 
haruspex said:
All good so far. Now, what is the relationship between F, Fk and Fspring?
F=Fk+Fspring right?
If that is so then:
F=MA, A=0, and F=0
So 0=Fk+Fspring
0=-kx+μkN
kx=μkN
k/μk=N/x, since we are trying to find the ratio between the spring constant and the kinetic friction coefficient
Since N, normal force, is 36*9.8N right now, and x, distance, is 3.4cm or 0.034m right now, then it is 36*9.8/0.034=10,376.47, which is the ratio of spring constant to kinetic friction, is that correct?
 
Q7heng said:
F=Fk+Fspring right?
If that is so then:
F=MA, A=0, and F=0
So 0=Fk+Fspring
0=-kx+μkN
kx=μkN
k/μk=N/x, since we are trying to find the ratio between the spring constant and the kinetic friction coefficient
Since N, normal force, is 36*9.8N right now, and x, distance, is 3.4cm or 0.034m right now, then it is 36*9.8/0.034=10,376.47, which is the ratio of spring constant to kinetic friction, is that correct?
Yes, that all looks right. But you should include the units in the answer.
 
  • #10
Thanks!
 
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