I am not sure how to approach a problem involving the friction coefficient when only given initial velocity, final velocity, and distance traveled. I could combine the friction and kinematic equations, but I am only familiar with doing that for one velocity…
Here is the specific problem I had trouble with:
A cardboard box of unknown mass is sliding upon a mythical friction-less surface.
The box has a velocity of 4.56 m/s when it encounters a bit of friction. After sliding 0.700m, the box has a velocity of 3.33 m/s.
What is the coefficient of friction of the surface?
How do I solve this problem in particular, and what is the general procedure to solve problems like this?
Best Answer
You write an equation that incorporates the information in the problem. Here you are supposed to assume the friction is a constant negative acceleration. If you let $x=0, t=0$ be where it encounters the friction, it is $x=v_0t-\frac 12 at^2, v=v_0-at$
The friction coefficient is the friction force divided by the weight. We are not given the weight here. How do you overcome that?