An object, previously at rest, slides #1 m# down a ramp, with an incline of #pi/3 #, and then slides horizontally on the floor for another #3 m#. If the ramp and floor are made of the same material, what is the material's kinetic friction coefficient?

Answer 1

The coefficient of kinetic friction will be #mu=0.247#

This problem is most easily done by conservation of energy.
Two energy forms are involved:

A change in gravitational potential energy: #mgh#

Frictional heating: #muF_NDelta d_1+muF_NDeltad_2#

where #Deltad_1# is the distance the object slides along the ramp, and #Deltad_2# is the distance is slides along the horizontal surface.

Before we can continue, we need to be aware of a couple of complications

We must express #h# (the height the object descends) in terms of #Deltad_1# (its displacement along the ramp).

#h=Deltad_1sin(pi/3)#

Also, we must note that the normal force on an incline is not equal to mg, but to #mgcostheta#, where #theta=pi/3# in this case.

With all that looked after, our equation becomes

#-mgDeltad_1sin(pi/3)+mumgcos(pi/3)Deltad_1+mumgDeltad_2=0#

(The first term is negative because the potential energy decreases.)

Notice that we can divide every term by mg, (including the right side of the equation)

So, inserting 1 m for #Deltad_1# and 3m for #Deltad_2# we get:

#-1(0.866)+(mu)(0.50)1+mu(3)=0#

#-0.866+0.50mu+3mu=0#

#3.5mu=0.866#

#mu=0.247#

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Answer 2

The kinetic friction coefficient can be calculated using the following formula:

μ = tan(θ)

Where:

  • μ is the kinetic friction coefficient
  • θ is the angle of inclination of the ramp

Given that the incline of the ramp is π/3, we can substitute this value into the formula:

μ = tan(π/3)

Using a calculator, we find:

μ ≈ tan(60°) ≈ √3

Therefore, the material's kinetic friction coefficient is approximately √3.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

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