Calculate acceleration and speed of block

  • #1
chwala
Gold Member
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Homework Statement
A block of wood of mass ##4## kg is released from rest on a plane inclined at ##30^0## to the horizontal. Assuming that the surface is modelled as smooth (no friction), calculate the acceleration of the block, and its speed after it has moved ##3## m.
Relevant Equations
Mechanics
Pretty straight forward, ...reason of posting is to check why i am having a negative value for ##a##.

From my study, i know that

##R(||)## to plane

##F - 40 \cos \dfrac{π}{3} = 4a##

##a = -5 m/s^2##

or can i as well have the equation ( friction and tension are at equilibrium) as,

##40 \cos \dfrac{π}{3} - F = 4a##

For second part,

##v^2 =u^2 +2as##

##v^2= 2×5×3##

...

##v = 5.48 m/s## to two decimal places.
 
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  • #2
chwala said:
Pretty straight forward, ...reason of posting is to check why i am having a negative value for a.
You've chosen down the ramp to be the negative direction!

What is "F" supposed to be in your equation?
 
  • #3
Doc Al said:
You've chosen down the ramp to be the negative direction!

What is "F" supposed to be in your equation?
Friction which is ##0##.
 
  • #4
chwala said:
Assuming that the surface is modelled as smooth (no friction)
If friction is 0, why include it in your equation?
 

Related to Calculate acceleration and speed of block

1. How do you calculate acceleration of a block?

To calculate the acceleration of a block, you can use the formula: acceleration = (final velocity - initial velocity) / time. Make sure to use consistent units for velocity and time.

2. How do you calculate speed of a block?

To calculate the speed of a block, you can use the formula: speed = distance / time. This will give you the average speed of the block over a certain period of time.

3. What units are typically used for acceleration?

The most commonly used units for acceleration are meters per second squared (m/s^2) in the metric system and feet per second squared (ft/s^2) in the imperial system.

4. How does mass affect the acceleration of a block?

According to Newton's second law of motion, the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. Therefore, a heavier block will have a lower acceleration compared to a lighter block when subjected to the same force.

5. Can you calculate acceleration and speed simultaneously?

Yes, you can calculate acceleration and speed simultaneously by using the equations of motion. By knowing the initial velocity, final velocity, time, and acceleration of a block, you can determine both its acceleration and speed at any given point in time.

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