Question

A dockworker applies a constant horizontal force of 80.0 N to a block of ice on a smooth horizontal floor. The frictional force is negligible. The block starts from rest and moves 11.0 m in 5.00 s. (a) what is the mass of the block office? (b) If the worker stops pushing at the end of 5.00 s, how far does the block move in the next 5.00 s?

Answer 1

Answer:

(a) 91 kg (2 s.f.)    (b) 22 m

Explanation:

Since it is stated that a constant horizontal force is applied to the block of ice, we know that the block of ice travels with a constant acceleration and but not with a constant velocity.

(a)

                                                   $s \ = \ ut \ + \ \displaystyle\frac{1}{2} at^{2} \\ \\ a \ = \ \displaystyle\frac{2(s \ - \ ut)}{t^{2}} \\ \\ a \ = \ \displaystyle\frac{2(11 \ - \ 0)}{5^{2}} \\ \\ a \ = \ \displaystyle\frac{22}{25} \\ \\ a \ = \ 0.88 \ \mathrm{m \ s^{-2}}$

     Subsequently,

                                                  $F \ = \ ma \\ \\ m \ = \ \displaystyle\frac{F}{a} \\ \\ m \ = \ \displaystyle\frac{80 \ \mathrm{kg \ m \ s^{-2}}}{0.88 \ \mathrm{m \ s^{-2}}} \\ \\ m \ = \ 91 \mathrm{kg} \ \ \ \ \ \ (2 \ \mathrm{s.f.})$

*Note that the equations used above assume constant acceleration is being applied to the system. However, in the case of non-uniform motion, these equations will no longer be valid and in turn, calculus will be used to analyze such motions.

(b) To find the final velocity of the ice block at the end of the first 5 seconds,

                                                    $v \ = \ u \ + \ at \\ \\ v \ = \ 0 \ + \ (0.88 \mathrm{m \ s^{-2}})(5 \ \mathrm{s}) \\ \\ v \ = \ 4.4 \ \mathrm{m \ s^{-1}}$

     According to Newton's First Law which states objects will remain at rest

     or in uniform motion (moving at constant velocity) unless acted upon by

     an external force. Hence, the block of ice by the end of the first 5

     seconds, experiences no acceleration (a = 0) but travels with a constant

     velocity of 4.4 $m \ s^{-1}$.

                                                    $s \ = \ ut \ + \ \displaystyle\frac{1}{2}at^{2} \\ \\ s \ = \ (4.4 \ \mathrm{m \ s^{-2}})(5 \ \mathrm{s}) \ + \ \displaystyle\frac{1}{2}(0)(5^{2}) \\ \\ s \ = \ 22 \ \mathrm{m}$

      Therefore, the ice block traveled 22 m in the next 5 seconds after the

      worker stops pushing it.