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mistermill
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Homework Statement
In our lab, we times a cart going 1m. The time was 9.49 s. The cart was pulled by a string, over a pulley, attached to a free-falling mass. The purpose was to calculate the μ, the coefficient of friction.
Homework Equations
d = vit + 1/2at[itex]^{2}[/itex]
a = (vf-vi)/t
vi = 0 m/s
d = 1.0 m
t = 9.49 s
The Attempt at a Solution
Why does the acceleration come out differently in these two equations?
Is it that the vf is not simply 1m/9.49 seconds?
Is vf = 1/9.49 = 0.11 ?
Because that is the average velocity, and we don't use average velocity because we have a constant acceleration?
In the first equation I get a = 0.02m/s[itex]^{2}[/itex]
and in the second equation I get a = 0.01 m/s[itex]^{2}[/itex]
I think I know why, but I would like someone to say,"yes that is why you must use the first equation."
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