Understanding Velocity and Distance on an Inclined Plane with Friction

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a hockey player sliding down an inclined plane and then moving into a frictional surface. The context includes calculating the distance traveled on the snow after descending a frictionless hill.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of acceleration on the incline and the subsequent velocity upon entering the snow. There are questions about the interpretation of the problem, particularly regarding the transition from the incline to the horizontal surface.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided calculations for both the distance traveled in the snow and the velocity at the bottom of the hill. There is an ongoing exploration of different interpretations of the problem setup, with no clear consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the implications of the problem's wording, particularly how the transition from the incline to the snow affects the calculations. There is mention of confusion regarding the correct interpretation of the initial conditions.

nesan
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Homework Statement



Boom-Boom Slapshot, Canadian hockey star, slides down a 50m long ice covered hill on his skates. The frictionless hill is inclined at 35° to the horizontal. Once he reaches the bottom of the hill, the ice is covered with deep snow that has a coefficient of kinetic friction of .50
How far into the snow will BoomBoom go before coming to rest?

The Attempt at a Solution



I've figured out acceleration on the inclined plane which is 5.62m/s^2. But, I was having trouble with including friction into the other part as well as normal force.


a = sin35 * 9.8 = 5.62m/s^2

Using the formula Vf^2 = Vi^2 + 2(a)(d)

I found the velocity which is 23.71m/s

I got an answer of 175m but the textbook says the answer is 57m. The textbook has been wrong few times, I just want to confirm this, thank you. :)
 
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How did you use that velocity to get 175m?
When I calculated it, I got 57m.
 
Browne said:
How did you use that velocity to get 175m?
When I calculated it, I got 57m.

a1 = g*sin35° = 5.62 m/s²

Vmax = √[2*a1*s] = √[2*5.62*50] = 23.7 m/s

a2 = -g[sin35° - µ*cos35°] = -1.607 m/s²

d2 = -Vmax²/(2*a2) = 174.76 m

Did I do something wrong?
 
Ah, the problem is the interpretation of the question.
I think the problem was intended to mean that he starts traveling horizontally (at the bottom of the hill) when he enters the snow.
 
Browne said:
Ah, the problem is the interpretation of the question.
I think the problem was intended to mean that he starts traveling horizontally (at the bottom of the hill) when he enters the snow.

Can you expand on that please? I'm really confused after trying 4 times.

Thank you. Just pointing me in the right direction will do. :)
 
After he reaches Vmax, the incline becomes 0°
 
I need more help please, I'm kind of lost. =\
 
nesan said:
I need more help please, I'm kind of lost. =\
What is it that you don't understand regarding what Browne said in his last two posts?

It would be difficult to restate what he said in a manner that's any clearer !
 

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