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Example: Sliding to a Stop
You take a 3 kg metal block and slide it along the floor, where the coefficient of friction is only 0.4. You release the block with an initial velocity of ⟨6,0,0⟩m/s. How long will it take for the block to come to a stop? How far does the block move?
Facts
Lacking
Approximations & Assumptions
Representations
Solution
x:Δpx=−FNΔt
y:Δpy=(FN−mg)Δt=0
Combining these two equations and writing px=mvx, we have
Δ(mvx)=−mgΔt
Δ(vx)=−gΔt
Δ(t)=0−vxi−g=vxig
Δ(t)=6m/s0.4(9.8N/kg)=1.53s
Since the net force was constant, vx,avg=(vxi+vxf)/2, so
Δ(x)/Δ(t)=((6+0)/2)m/s=3m/s
Δ(x)=(3m/s)(1.53s)=4.5m