Why Is My Calculation of Speed on an Inclined Plane Incorrect?

  • Thread starter Thread starter kwise
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Work Work problem
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the speed of a 2.0-kg mass sliding down a 20-degree inclined plane with a coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.20. The initial calculations were incorrect due to not considering the parallel force and friction properly. The correct approach involves using the forces acting on the mass, specifically the gravitational force component along the incline and the frictional force. After applying the work-energy theorem and adjusting the calculations, the correct speed after sliding 4.0 m was determined to be 3.5 m/s. The user successfully resolved the issue with guidance from others in the forum.
kwise
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
This problem is giving me issues. I don't think I'm using the right equations...

Problem:
A 2.0-kg mass is released from rest at the top of a plane inclined at 20 degrees above horizontal. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the mass and the plane is 0.20. What will be the speed of the mass after sliding 4.0 m along the plane.

A) 2.2 m/s
B) 3.0 m/s
C) 3.5 m/s
D) 5.2 m/s

Work:
Here is what I tried.
Mass= 2.0kg
Coefficient of Kenetic Friction= 0.20
Displacement= 4m
Weight= 9.8*2=19.6N

W=F*d*cos 0

W=19.6*4*cos(20)
W=73.67

W sub NET= change in KE
73.67=1/2*2*v(squared)
v=8.58m/s

That is not one of my choices :rolleyes:

Any help would be fantastic. Thanks in advance.
Kirk
 
Physics news on Phys.org
you need to find the parallel force to the plane, not just the weight,
Parallel force - friction force or

mgsin(teta) - u(normal force)
mg*sin(theta) - umg*cos(theta)

well, I am new here so i don't know how to neter in symbols like theta, coeficient of friction, ...

u= coeff of friction
 
i hope that's right, becuase i only started work-energy theorum today
 
looks like a great start for me. I'm going to give it a shot.

Thanks,
Kirk
 
Thanks so much! That got me on the right track. I was able to get the right answer, which was C if you wanted to know.

Kirk:smile:
 
Another method that uses "work = change in KE"... if you draw your freebody diagram, 3 forces act on the block, Fgravity, Fnormal, and Ffriction. The definition of Work is W=Fdcos(theta). Quantify the work done by each force, careful when determining theta for each. Fgx4metersxcos(70)... etc. Your total work done = change in KE... you will get an answer matching your one of the choices.
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top