Challenge: A block of mass starts from rest at the top of a smooth ramp of height
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Work, Energy and Power · Work, Energy and Power
Problem
Challenge: A block of mass m starts from rest at the top of a smooth ramp of height h . After leaving the ramp, the block moves along a horizontal surface where it experiences a position-dependent resistive force: F(x)=bx2 where b is a positive constant and x is the horizontal distance measured from the bottom of the ramp.
(1) Using energy methods, derive an expression for the speed of the block as a function of position x on the horizontal surface.
(2) Determine the total horizontal distance the block travels before coming to rest.
(3) Explain why Newton's second law would be significantly more difficult to apply directly to this situation than the work-energy theorem.