Simviation Forums

Hi all! I need help! If there are any Physics people out there would you give me a hand?

Block A of weight W slides down an inclined plane S of slope angle 37 degrees at constant velocity while plank B, also of weight W, rests on top of A.  The plank is attached by a cord to the top of the plane.

If the coeffecient of kinetic friction is the same between the surfaces A and B and between S and A determine its value.

can anyone make sense of this?

Thanks in advance,

Jared

Nope sorry, physics failure here.  My trick with physics was to not try and understand it but simply accept that it was so.  I failed.....

Will

Since the speed of A (+B) (total weight 2W) down slope S is constant, the kinetic energy is constant. Normally the kinetic energy would rise, due to the decline of potential energy.
Here, potential energy is declining, kinetic ISN'T rising, because of the 2 friction coef's (since there are 2 friction planes) between A-B and A-S

Through the slope angle you should be able to determine the amount of energy (normally turned into kineticE) that is lost on the 2x friction coeff.

Meaning: why isn't block A accelerating? because the friction of B onto A and A+B onto S keeps it constant.

Long way back, man, I may be wrong here, anyone else make sense of this?

Hey! Thanks for the info, some of is seems to make sense, sounds like I was on the right track, but I wasn't sure.  

Thanks for all of the info!

Jared