Mechanics: Newton's Laws of Motion

Newton's Laws of Motion: Audio Guided Solution

Extra Problem 7:

Dexter Eius is walking through the cafeteria when he slips on some spilled milk and falls to the floor. Upon hitting the floor, he skids to a stop with an acceleration of -3.56 m/s/s. Dexter weighs 542 Newtons. Determine the coefficient of friction between Dexter and the floor. Calculate your answer accurate to the third decimal place.

Audio Guided Solution

Habits of an Effective Problem Solver

• 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.
• 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; F_net = ???.
• Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
• Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
• Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.

Read About It!

Get more information on the topic of Wave Basics at The Physics Classroom Tutorial.

• Forces
• Mass and Weight
• Newton's Second Law
• Determining Acceleration From Force Values
• Determining Individual Force Values
• Friction Force
• The Kinematic Equations

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