Question

A person speeds up very slightly and begins to slide. If the coefficient of kinetic friction is μₖ = 0.25, what is the new magnitude, in meters per squared second, of his radial acceleration?

a) 0.25 m/s²
b) 2.5 m/s²
c) 2.0 m/s²
d) 0.50 m/s²

Answer 1

To calculate the radial acceleration due to kinetic friction with a coefficient of 0.25, we multiply it by the acceleration due to gravity, resulting in an acceleration of 2.5 m/s².

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject in question involves calculating the radial acceleration when a person starts sliding due to kinetic friction. To calculate the radial acceleration due to kinetic friction with a coefficient of 0.25, we multiply it by the acceleration due to gravity, resulting in an acceleration of 2.5 m/s².

The coefficient of kinetic friction given is μκ = 0.25. To find the radial acceleration (ar), we use the equation ar = μκ * g, where g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²). Plugging in the values we get ar = 0.25 * 9.8 m/s² = 2.45 m/s². Since the values of coefficients of friction are approximate and the answer is generally given to two significant digits, we round off the acceleration to 2.5 m/s². Therefore, the correct answer would be option (b) 2.5 m/s².