Question

A hockey puck on a frozen pond is given an initial speed of 20.0 m/s. If the puck always remains on the ice and slides 115 m before coming to rest, determine the coefficient of kinetic friction between the puck and ice.

Answer 1

Answer:

μ_k = 0.1773

Explanation:

We are given;

Initial velocity;u = 20 m/s

Final velocity;v = 0 m/s (since it comes to rest)

Distance before coming to rest;s = 115 m

Let's find the acceleration using Newton's second law of motion;

v² = u² + 2as

Making a the subject, we have;

a = (v² - u²)/2s

Plugging relevant values;

a = (0² - 20²)/(2 × 115)

a = -400/230

a = -1.739 m/s²

From the question, the only force acting on the puck in the x direction is the force of friction. Since friction always opposes motion, we see that:

F_k = −ma - - - (1)

We also know that F_k is defined by;

F_k = μ_k•N

Where;

μ_k is coefficient of kinetic friction

N is normal force which is (mg)

Since gravity acts in the negative direction, the normal force will be positive.

Thus;

F_k = μ_k•mg - - - (2)

where g is acceleration due to gravity.

Thus,equating equation 1 and 2,we have;

−ma = μ_k•mg

m will cancel out to give;

-a = μ_k•g

μ_k = -a/g

g has a constant value of 9.81 m/s², so;

μ_k = - (-1.739/9.81)

μ_k = 0.1773