Question

Sam, whose mass is 78 kg , stands at the top of a 11-m-high, 110-m-long snow-covered slope. His skis have a coefficient of kinetic friction on snow of 0.07. If he uses his poles to get started, then glides down, what is his speed at the bottom

Answer 1

v = 8.09 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

For this exercise we use that the work done by the friction force plus the potential energy equals the change in the body's energy.

Let's calculate the energy

starting point. Higher

Em₀ = U = m gh

final point. To go down the slope

Em_f = K = ½ m v²

The work of the friction force is

W = fr L cos 180

to find the friction force let's use Newton's second law

Axis y

N - W_y = 0

N = W_y

X axis

Wₓ - fr = ma

let's use trigonometry

sin θ = y / L

sin θ = 11/110 = 0.1

θ = sin⁻¹ 0.1

θ = 5.74º

sin 5.74 = Wₓ / W

cos 5.74 = W_y / W

Wₓ = W sin 5.74

W_y = W cos 5.74

the formula for the friction force is

fr = μ N

fr = μ W cos θ

Work is friction force is

W_fr = - μ W L cos θ

Let's use the relationship of work with energy

W + ΔU = ΔK

-μ mg L cos 5.74 + (mgh - 0) = 0 - ½ m v²

v² = - 2 μ g L cos 5.74 +2 (gh)

v² = 2gh - 2 μ gL cos 5.74

let's calculate

v² = 2 9.8 11 - 2 0.07 9.8 110 cos 5.74

v² = 215.6 -150.16

v = √65.44

v = 8.09 m/s