Question

Suppose that the coefficient of friction between your feet and the floor, while wearing socks, is 0.250. Knowing this, you decide to get a running start and then slide across the floor. If your speed is 3.00 m/s when you start to slide, what distance, d, will you slide before stopping?

Answer 1

(initial kinetic energy) = (work done against friction)

(1/2) M V^2 = F * d

F is the friction force, which in this case is 0.25 M g. The 0.25 factor is the coefficient of kinetic friction.

Solve for the distance d. M cancels out.

d = (1/2) V^2/(0.25 g) = 2 V^2/g

Answer 2

1.84 m