Mechanics: Newton's Laws of Motion
Newton's Laws of Motion: Audio Guided Solution
Problem Set NL17, Question 2:
A 2513-N bobsled moving with a speed of 27.5 m/s departs from the main track and moves onto a horizontal section lightly sprinkled with sawdust. The bobsled comes to a stop in a distance of 126 meters. Calculate the …
a. … acceleration rate of the bobsled.
b. … the force of friction experienced by the bobsled.
c. … the weight of the bobsled.
d. … the coefficient of kinetic friction between the runners of the sled and the sawdust-covered surface.
Audio Guided Solution
Habits of an Effective Problem Solver
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Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
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Identify the known and unknown quantities in an organized manner. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity - e.g., m = 3.52 kg; a = 4.2 m/s/s; Fnet = ???.
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Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
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Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
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Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.
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