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Ch 10: Interactions and Potential Energy
Chapter 10, Problem 10

The ice cube is replaced by a 50 g plastic cube whose coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.20. How far will the plastic cube travel up the slope? Use work and energy.

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1
Identify the initial kinetic energy of the plastic cube. Since the cube is initially moving, calculate its kinetic energy using the formula KE = \(\frac{1}{2}mv^2\), where \(m\) is the mass of the cube and \(v\) is its velocity.
Calculate the work done against friction as the cube moves up the slope. Use the formula for work done against friction, \(W = f_k \times d\), where \(f_k\) is the force of kinetic friction and \(d\) is the distance traveled. The force of kinetic friction can be found using \(f_k = \mu_k \times N\), where \(\mu_k\) is the coefficient of kinetic friction and \(N\) is the normal force. The normal force on an incline is \(N = mg \cos(\theta)\), where \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity and \(\theta\) is the angle of the slope.
Set up the energy conservation equation. The initial kinetic energy of the cube should be equal to the work done against friction, as there are no other forces doing work on the system (assuming air resistance is negligible). So, \(\frac{1}{2}mv^2 = f_k \times d\).
Solve the energy conservation equation for \(d\), the distance the cube travels up the slope. Rearrange the equation to isolate \(d\) on one side.
Substitute the values for \(m\), \(v\), \(\mu_k\), \(g\), and \(\theta\) into the equation to find the numerical value of \(d\).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Kinetic Friction

Kinetic friction is the force that opposes the motion of two surfaces sliding against each other. It is quantified by the coefficient of kinetic friction, which is a dimensionless value representing the ratio of the frictional force to the normal force. In this scenario, the coefficient of 0.20 indicates that the frictional force acting on the plastic cube will significantly affect its motion up the slope.
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Work-Energy Principle

The work-energy principle states that the work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy. In this context, as the plastic cube moves up the slope, work is done against both gravity and friction. This principle allows us to calculate how far the cube will travel by equating the work done by the applied forces to the energy changes in the system.
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Potential Energy

Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position in a gravitational field. For an object on an incline, the potential energy increases as it moves higher up the slope. The change in potential energy as the plastic cube ascends the slope must be considered alongside the work done against friction to determine the maximum height it can reach before coming to a stop.
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