Finding length of driveway (work-kinetic energy theorem)

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To find the length of a driveway for a car starting from rest, the work-kinetic energy theorem is applied. The car, weighing 2.1*10^3 kg and experiencing a friction force of 4.0*10^3 N, reaches a speed of 3.8 m/s at the bottom of the slope. Initial calculations yield a driveway length of approximately 5.3 m, but the expected answer is 5.1 m. After correcting the mass used in calculations, the revised length comes out to about 4.98 m, indicating potential errors in the equations or assumptions made. The discussion highlights the importance of accurate values and the correct application of physics principles in solving such problems.
alyston
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Homework Statement



A 2.1*10^3 kg car starts from rest at the top of a driveway that is sloped at an angle of 20° with the horizontal. An average friction force of 4.0*10^3 N impedes the car's motion so that the car's speed at the bottom of the driveway is 3.8m/s. What is the length of the driveway?

Homework Equations



W=ΔKE
KE=1/2MV^2
W=Fd

The Attempt at a Solution



Ff=4000N
m=2100 Kg
θ= 20°
V=3.8 m/s

W=ΔKE
W=(1/2)(2100)(3.8^2)= 14,440 J

I found the x component of gravity...
mg * sin 20
(9.81)(2000) * sin 20 = 6710 N

6710 N - 4000 N = 2710 N = net force

14440/2710 = 5.3 m

But the book says it's 5.1 m so I'm not sure what I did wrong.
Thanks!
 
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5.18 metres
 
you used 2000 kg instead of 2100
 
Oh, whoops, I didn't notice that. Thanks for pointing that out.

So I went back and redid some of my calculations:

W=(1/2)(2100)(3.8^2)= 15,162 J
(9.81)(2100) * sin 20 = 7046 N

7046 N-4000N=3046 N

15,162/3046=4.98 m

Hmmm...it's still a little off. Am I using the right equations?
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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