A block is released from rest at the top of a rough incline that makes an angle of…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Work Energy and Power · Work Energy and Power
Problem
A 2.5kg block is released from rest at the top of a rough incline that makes an angle of 30∘ with the horizontal. The height difference between the top and bottom of the incline is 1.8m. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the incline is μk=0.20. Beyond the bottom of the incline, the block immediately slides onto a horizontal surface made of the same material so that the coefficient of kinetic friction remains 0.20. The horizontal surface extends for a long distance until the block eventually comes to rest.
Assume gravitational acceleration g=9.8ms−2 and neglect any energy transfers other than those explicitly described.
(a) Calculate the speed of the block as it reaches the bottom of the incline.
(b) Determine the distance the block travels along the horizontal surface before coming to rest.
(c) Compute the total amount of thermal energy generated by friction during the entire motion described above.
(d) The block is made of a material with specific heat capacity c=900J(kg∘C)−1. Assuming the thermal energy generated in part (c) is absorbed entirely by the block with no heat exchanged with the environment, estimate the increase in the block’s temperature.