Question

A bicyclist riding in the rain suddenly applies the brakes and slides to a stop. If the acceleration is −9.5 m/s2 , what is the coefficient of kinetic friction between the bicycle’s rubber tires and the wet concrete?

Answer 1

Answer & Explanation:

We can use the following equation to solve the problem:

a = -μk*g

where a is the acceleration, μk is the coefficient of kinetic friction, and g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s2).

We are given that a = -9.5 m/s2. We can assume that g is constant and equal to 9.8 m/s2. Therefore, we can rearrange the equation to solve for μk:

μk = -a/g

μk = -(-9.5 m/s2) / 9.8 m/s2

μk = 0.969

Therefore, the coefficient of kinetic friction between the bicycle’s rubber tires and the wet concrete is 0.969.