Why Does My Calculation of Kinetic Energy Yield a Negative Result?

AI Thread Summary
The calculation of kinetic energy yielded a negative result due to an incorrect friction energy calculation. The user attempted to apply the energy conservation equation but miscalculated the friction energy by using force instead of energy. The correct approach requires multiplying the friction force by the distance the block moves to obtain the energy lost to friction. The user initially calculated a kinetic energy of -2.4 but expected a positive result of 1.47. Correcting the friction energy calculation is essential to resolve the issue.
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Hello,
http://fm92-1.com/physics.jpg"
The initial speed is 0 m/s
We let go of the rope
What is the system's kinetic energy when the little block is at 15 cm from the ground?

What's wrong with my work?
E_{t}=E_{P}+E_{F}+E_{K}\Rightarrow E_{K}=E_{t}-E_{P}-E_{F}
where Et is total energy, Ep is potential energy, Ef is friction energy and Ek is kinetic energy.

E_{K}=0.75*9.81*0.45-0.75*9.81*0.15-0.1*2.5*9.81=-2.4
The answer is 1.47, but i get -2.4
What to do?
Thank you
 
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Your last term, energy lost due to friction, is calculated wrong. Friction energy is force times distance. What you have is force. You need to multiply it by a distance (how far the block moves) to get energy.

I don't know if you get the right answer, but that's one thing that's wrong that I could find.
 
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