How Does Friction Affect the Final Speed of a Crate?

In summary, a 60.0 kg crate is pulled across a frictionless floor with a force of 100.0 N. After 10.0 m, the coefficient of friction becomes 0.20. The work done by the applied force and frictional force changes the crate's kinetic energy, and energy is not conserved. To find the final speed, one must calculate the work done by the forces during the first 10m and the second 10m, which will equal the change in the crate's kinetic energy.
  • #1
smbascug
8
0
A 60.0 kg crate, starting from rest, is pulled across the floor with a constant force of 100.0 N. For the first 10.0 m the floor is frictionless and for the next 10.0 m the coefficient of friction is 0.20. What is the final speed of the crate?

Is it possible to use KE + PE = KE + PE
1/2mv^2 + mgh = 1/2mv^2 + mgh
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
No, since energy is not conserved. Instead, consider the work done by the applied forces. (The work-energy theorem.)
 
  • #3
How can you tell if energy is coserved or not?
 
  • #4
smbascug said:
How can you tell if energy is coserved or not?

Work is done, both by the puller and the frictional force. The friction generates heat, which certainly tells us that energy is not conserved.
 
  • #5
smbascug said:
How can you tell if energy is coserved or not?
Mechanical energy is conserved if the only forces acting are conservative forces, like gravity. As Captain Zapp0 points out, here we have additional forces acting: the applied force and the friction. These forces do work on the object, changing its kinetic energy.

If you attempted to use the conservation equation you quoted, you'll quickly find that it gets you nowhere since the gravitational PE doesn't change. (We assume that the crate is moving across a horizontal floor.)
 
  • #6
m=60.0kg u=0.20
F= 100.0 N
d1==10.0m

KE(final) - KE(initial)
1/2mv^2 - 1/2mv^2

umm... how do i isolate v? or is this even correct?
 
  • #7
Not clear what you've done.

Find the work done by the forces during the first 10m and the second 10m. The total work done will equal the change in the crate's KE.
 

What is work?

Work is a measure of the energy transferred to or from an object by a force when the object is displaced. It is calculated by multiplying the magnitude of the force by the distance the object is moved in the direction of the force.

What is energy?

Energy is the ability of a system to do work. It can exist in many forms, such as kinetic energy, potential energy, thermal energy, and electromagnetic energy.

How is work related to energy?

Work and energy are closely related concepts. Work is the transfer of energy from one object to another, while energy is the ability to do work. In order for work to be done, energy must be transferred from one object to another.

What is the formula for calculating work?

The formula for calculating work is W = F x d, where W is work, F is the magnitude of the force, and d is the distance the object is moved in the direction of the force.

How is work and energy conservation related?

According to the law of conservation of energy, energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred from one form to another. This means that the total amount of energy in a system remains constant. In the context of work and energy problems, this means that the work done on an object must be equal to the change in energy of that object.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
9
Views
390
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
894
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
997
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
6K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
991
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
999
Back
Top