Solving work energy problems, with velocity and friction as givens.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a work-energy problem involving initial and final velocities, as well as work done by friction, with the goal of determining height. The subject area is primarily focused on energy conservation principles in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the formulation of the work-energy equation and the need for additional information, such as mass, to proceed. There are suggestions to use an unknown for mass to see if it cancels out in the calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem and questioning the necessity of certain variables. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of unknowns in the equations.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted reluctance from the original poster to disclose the full problem details, which may limit the depth of assistance provided. The discussion also highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between mass and friction in the context of the problem.

nickyak
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I need to solve a work energy equation for height that has initial velocity, final velocity, and work done by friction as the only givens, I don't want to give the full problem, but I can't even find how to do that in my physics book so any help would be appreciated. right now I have KE1+GPE1-Friction=KE2
 
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nickyak said:
I don't want to give the full problem
You will at least need to disclose what it is that you are asked to find.
 
He needs to find the height. Can you make up a problem based on the given one? (Change all the numbers and wording)
 
PhizKid said:
He needs to find the height.
Hmm.. yes, missed that.:blushing:
Ok, so you have an equation regarding energy, and presumably you can write down expressions for KE etc. if only you knew the mass. Is that the problem? If so, just put in an unknown for mass and hope it cancels. (If the friction is proportional to the mass then it will.)
 

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