What is the magnitude of the upward force of friction

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a child sliding down a vertical fire pole with constant acceleration. The problem requires determining the magnitude of the upward force of friction exerted by the pole on the child, given the child's mass, the height of the pole, and the time taken to reach the ground.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the forces acting on the child, including gravitational and frictional forces, and explore the application of Newton's second law. There are inquiries about the net force and how to isolate the frictional force in the context of the problem.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on identifying forces and applying Newton's second law. Some participants express confusion about the relationships between forces and how to approach the calculations, while others attempt to clarify these concepts.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of a homework assignment, which requires them to show their reasoning and work before receiving assistance. There is an emphasis on understanding the problem setup and the forces involved.

  • #31
would i have to islolate the f and use the upward direction and it would be in Newtons? i knew tha. sorry
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
thanks for you help. i really appreciated it. thanks very much
 
  • #33
You're welcome.
 
  • #34
can u just give me a hint on how to get started on another question as well? thanks so much

A 4.0*10 kg wind sled is gliding across a frozen lake with a constant velocity of 12 m/s (E) when a gust of wind from the southwest exerts a constant force of 1.0 * 10to the power of 2 on its sails for 3.0 s. with what velocity will the sled be moving after the wind has subsided?

can you just explain the question to me?

i won't take too much time but all i need is a hint.!=)

are you a physics teacher or some genius? because you explain very well.
 
Last edited:
  • #35
What part are you having trouble with? Explain what you think it is saying.
 
  • #36
is it asking for initial velocity? this is a tough one!
 
  • #37
No, it has given you the initial velocity. What you need to find is the new velocity after the force of the wind has acted on the wind sled.
 
  • #38
how do we figure that out? i think a free body diagram will be helpful in problem.
then, do we have to break the two directions into components?
 
Last edited:
  • #39
Well, you know the force acting. What do you need to find the new velocity? Think Newton's second law.
 
  • #40
I don't think you need to break it up into components.
 
  • #41
do you use fnet= ma? or do i need to find a?
 
  • #42
kumar_23 said:
do you use fnet= ma? or do i need to find a?

I'm not too sure what you mean by that, but yes, this is the equation you need. Make sure you understand what the equation means.
One way to figure out what you're supposed to do with it is look at the three variables in that equation, which is the one you don't already know?
 
  • #43
is it fnet i need to figure out ? do i use "constant velocity of 12 m/s (E) divided by 3.0 s. " to find acceleration ? then i figure out fnet by using fnet=ma after i figure out my acceleration.

****i'm not sure if this is how it's supposed to be done?****
 
Last edited:
  • #44
READ the question! Write the information you have down in the proper form with the proper units so you can see what you have available to you.
The question states:

"a gust of wind from the southwest exerts a constant force of 1.0 * 10to the power of 2 on its sails"

This is your net force. So try to think of what you don't know but need to solve this problem. (Hint: you can find it by Newton's second law, it's the only thing you don't know in that equation)
 
  • #45
sorry, i didnt notice the constant force part of the question
now, that tells me that i need to find acceleration using fnet = ma.
Do i then use the acceleration equation a = change in velocity /time. Do i then find final velocity by rearranging the equation?
 
Last edited:
  • #46
kumar_23 said:
that tells me that i need to find acceleration using fnet = ma. That's right!
Do i then use the acceleration equation a = change in velocity /time. Do i then find final velocity by rearranging the equation?

Yes, that should work.
 
  • #47
so I am correct for the first time!
 
  • #48
one more thing, is the initial velocity 0 m/s or 12 m/s in the equation?
 
  • #49
What does the question say?

"A 4.0*10 kg wind sled is gliding across a frozen lake with a constant velocity of 12 m/s (E)"

Doesn't look like a zero to me! :wink: It says it's moving at a constant velocity, so you assume that's the initial velocity.
 
  • #50
:shy: oh...the light bulb just went on!
 
  • #51
so basically the question is just asking for the final velocity after the force hits it!
um...i was just wondering where in Canada are you from exactly?
 
  • #52
Well yes, but the proper thing to say would be "what is the final velocity after the force accelerates it for three seconds". You've got the idea though.

I have to leave now, but I think you've got it all figured out.
 
  • #53
can u just tell me where you're from?
 
  • #54
Ontario, Canada.
 
  • #55
by the way i added you to my buddy list. Thanks so much for your help. i really appreciated it!:rolleyes: :wink:
 
  • #56
You're welcome.
 
  • #57
where in ontario? because i live in ON as well. sorry about the nosiness. it's just nice to meet someone in the same province.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
8K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
5K
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
10K
Replies
2
Views
2K