Mechanics: Work, Energy and Power

Work, Energy and Power: Audio Guided Solution

Problem 31:

Sheila (m=56.8 kg) is in her saucer sled moving at 12.6 m/s at the bottom of the sledding hill near Bluebird Lake. She approaches a long embankment inclined upward at 16° above the horizontal. As she slides up the embankment, she encounters a coefficient of friction of 0.128. Determine the height to which she will travel before coming to rest.

Audio Guided Solution

Habits of an Effective Problem Solver

  • Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
  • Identify the known and unknown quantities in an organized manner. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity - e.g., vo = 0 m/s; a = 4.2 m/s/s; vf = 22.9 m/s; d = ???.
  • Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
  • Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
  • Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.

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