Question

A 35 kg child slides down a playground slide at a constant speed. The slide has a height of 3.8 m and is 8.0 m long. Find the magnitude of the kinetic friction force acting on the child.

Answer 1

Answer:

The magnitude of the kinetic frictional force acting on the child is 162.93 N

Explanation:

Given;

mass of the child, m = 35 kg

height of the slide, h = 3.8 m

length of the slide, d = 8.0 m

The change in thermal energy associated with the kinetic frictional force is calculated as follows;

$\Delta E_{th} + \Delta K.E + \Delta U = 0\\\\\Delta E_{th} + (\frac{1}{2} mv_f^2 - \frac{1}{2} mv_i^2) + (mgh_f - mgh_i) =0\\\\since \ the \ speed \ is \ constant, \ v_f = v_i \ and \ \Delta K.E = 0\\\\Also, \ final \ height \ , h _f= 0\\\\\Delta E_{th} - mgh_i = 0\\\\\Delta E_{th} = mgh_i\\\\\Delta E_{th} = 35 \times9.8 \times 3.8\\\\\Delta E_{th} = 1303.4 \ J$

The magnitude of the kinetic frictional force that produced this thermal energy is calculated from the work done by frictional force;

$\Delta E_{th} = F \times d\\\\F = \frac{\Delta E_{th} }{d} \\\\F = \frac{1303.4}{8} \\\\F = 162.93 \ N$

Therefore, the magnitude of the kinetic frictional force acting on the child is 162.93 N