Physics Help Forum Is this Power/Work problem Possible

 Energy and Work Energy and Work Physics Help Forum

 Dec 9th 2016, 01:15 AM #1 Junior Member   Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2 Is this Power/Work problem Possible I am currently in AP Physics C. I was given a homework problem that I don't think is possible with the given info. A 20 kg rock slides on a rough horizontal surface at 8 m/s and eventually stops due to friction. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the rock and the surface is 0.200. What average thermal power is produced as the rock stops? (Answer: 157 WATTS) (first get the work done!) Here I am given mass, velocity, force of friction( (20 * 9.8) * .2 = 39.2), AND THAT's IT. I tried getting work first, but I don't have a distance. I suppose I could solve for acceleration since friction is the only force in the X direction, which is -1.96, but even then, how would I get a distance from that. If I had a period of time this took place over I could find distance, but I don't. Could somebody explain this? Thanks
 Dec 9th 2016, 07:46 AM #2 Senior Member   Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NC Posts: 383 Similar Problem... Hi LPB, Is it (v2)(v2) - (v1)(v1) = 2 ax? Does that get "x." Interesting problem. I wonder if it is the average "frictional" power that happens? Here's a friction loss problem. Not your problem but something to look at. Crate Pushed Uphill | THERMO Spoken Here! Good Luck, JP
Dec 9th 2016, 08:10 AM   #3
Junior Member

Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 2
 Originally Posted by THERMO Spoken Here Hi LPB, Is it (v2)(v2) - (v1)(v1) = 2 ax? Does that get "x." Interesting problem. I wonder if it is the average "frictional" power that happens? Here's a friction loss problem. Not your problem but something to look at. Crate Pushed Uphill | THERMO Spoken Here! Good Luck, JP
I don't think that's it, but seeing that formula made me remember what to do. It's a kinematics equation. Vfinal (0) = vinitial(8) + acceleration(1.96)*time. From there I can solve for time and get the answer, thanks.

 Dec 9th 2016, 08:59 AM #4 Physics Team     Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Morristown, NJ USA Posts: 2,280 Right, the initial KE is all converted to heat, so the average power is Power =$\displaystyle \frac {\Delta KE} t = \frac {\frac 1 2 mv^2 }{t}$ The time for the rock to stop comes from $\displaystyle \Delta v = at$. You just need to determine 'a' from $\displaystyle F_r = \mu mg = ma$.

 Tags friction, naka, power, power or work, problem, work

 Thread Tools Display Modes Linear Mode

 Similar Physics Forum Discussions Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post Alexis87 Advanced Mechanics 4 Apr 3rd 2013 08:20 AM unwillingengineer Energy and Work 3 May 12th 2010 10:47 PM strgrl Energy and Work 9 Sep 29th 2009 12:53 AM angelica Kinematics and Dynamics 9 May 20th 2009 10:22 PM angelica Kinematics and Dynamics 3 May 14th 2009 12:33 AM