physics question

Question

A 1.7 kg otter starts from rest at the top of a muddy incline 85.2 cm long and slides down to the bottom in 0.60 s.

What net external force acts on the otter along the incline?

Answer in units of N.

Answer 1

This is based on acceleration.

Recall that F = ma

So, start by solving for a.

Vo = 0 m/s

Dt = .6 s

Dx = .852 m

a = ?

Use:

Dx = Vo*Dt + .5*a*Dt^2

Since Vo = 0,

Dx = .5*a*Dt^2

a = (2*Dx)/Dt^2

Solve for a and substitute into F=ma.