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Ch 05: Applying Newton's Laws
Chapter 5, Problem 5

An 8.00-kg block of ice, released from rest at the top of a 1.50-m-long frictionless ramp, slides downhill, reaching a speed of 2.50 m/s at the bottom. (b) What would be the speed of the ice at the bottom if the motion were opposed by a constant friction force of 10.0 N parallel to the surface of the ramp?

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1
Identify the forces acting on the ice block. In this scenario, there are two main forces: gravitational force pulling the block down the ramp and the frictional force opposing the motion.
Calculate the component of gravitational force acting along the ramp. This can be done using the formula: $F_{gravity} = m imes g imes ext{sin}(\theta)$, where $m$ is the mass of the block, $g$ is the acceleration due to gravity, and $\theta$ is the angle of the ramp.
Determine the net force acting on the block. Since the frictional force opposes the motion, the net force $F_{net}$ along the ramp is given by $F_{net} = F_{gravity} - F_{friction}$, where $F_{friction}$ is the constant friction force given.
Apply Newton's second law to find the acceleration of the block. Newton's second law states that $F = m imes a$, where $F$ is the net force and $a$ is the acceleration. Rearrange this to find $a = \frac{F_{net}}{m}$.
Use the kinematic equation to find the final speed of the block at the bottom of the ramp. The equation $v^2 = u^2 + 2as$ can be used, where $v$ is the final velocity, $u$ is the initial velocity (0 m/s, since the block starts from rest), $a$ is the acceleration found in the previous step, and $s$ is the distance along the ramp.

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Key Concepts

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

Newton's Second Law of Motion

Newton's Second Law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. This principle is crucial for analyzing the forces acting on the block of ice as it slides down the ramp, allowing us to calculate the net force when friction is present.
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Kinetic and Potential Energy

The concepts of kinetic and potential energy are fundamental in understanding the energy transformations that occur as the block of ice moves down the ramp. Potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as the block descends, and the presence of friction will reduce the total mechanical energy available for conversion, affecting the final speed.
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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 scenario, the work done by the friction force will reduce the kinetic energy of the ice block, which can be calculated to determine the new speed at the bottom of the ramp when friction is taken into account.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
A picture frame hung against a wall is suspended by two wires attached to its upper corners. If the two wires make the same angle with the vertical, what must this angle be if the tension in each wire is equal to 0.75 of the weight of the frame? (Ignore any friction between the wall and the picture frame.)
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Textbook Question
When jumping straight up from a crouched position, an average person can reach a maximum height of about 60 cm. During the jump, the person's body from the knees up typically rises a distance of around 50 cm. To keep the calculations simple and yet get a reasonable result, assume that the entire body rises this much during the jump. (c) In terms of this jumper's weight w, what force does the ground exert on him or her during the jump?
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Textbook Question
A 45.0-kg crate of tools rests on a horizontal floor. You exert a gradually increasing horizontal push on it, and the crate just begins to move when your force exceeds 313 N. Then you must reduce your push to 208 N to keep it moving at a steady 25.0 cm/s. (c) Suppose you were performing the same experiment on the moon, where the acceleration due to gravity is 1.62 m/s2. (i) What magnitude push would cause it to move? (ii) What would its acceleration be if you maintained the push in part (b)?
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Textbook Question

A 1130-kg car is held in place by a light cable on a very smooth (frictionless) ramp (Fig. E5.8). The cable makes an angle of 31.0° above the surface of the ramp, and the ramp itself rises at 25.0° above the horizontal. (c) How hard does the surface of the ramp push on the car? <IMAGE>

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