How Does Friction Impact the Distance an Object Travels Up an Inclined Plane?

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The discussion focuses on calculating the distance a 30g object travels up a 20-degree inclined plane after being launched by a spring with a compression of 10 cm and a spring constant of 25 N/m. The participant initially attempts to apply conservation of energy principles, equating the spring's potential energy to gravitational potential energy. However, they realize they have not accounted for the work done by friction, which is crucial for an accurate solution. The conversation emphasizes the importance of incorporating the friction coefficient of 0.20 into the energy calculations to determine the total distance traveled. Understanding how friction affects the energy balance is essential for solving the problem correctly.
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Homework Statement


30g object slides on slope of 20 degrees, with kinetic coefficient of .20. Object is launched up from a spring at bottom of slope, which was compressed by 10 cm. Spring constant = 25 N/m. Find the total distance object travels up slope before reversing direction.

Homework Equations


i don't know where to start with this. I tried equations of energy according to conservation of energy.

The Attempt at a Solution


initial: .5kx^2
final: mgh
therefore mgh=.5kx^2
Then i rearranged for height.
h=(kx^2/2mg)

however, i think this is the wrong thing to do. I havn't even used the friction coefficient.
Please help me get on the right track with this problem.

Thanks in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The friction force does work on your object as it travels! How much work does it do, and how should you add this work into your energy equation?
 

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