The alarm at a fire station rings and a 98.5-kg fireman, starting from rest, slides down a pole to the floor below (a distance of 4.00 m). Just before landing, his speed is 1.81 m/s. What is the magnitude of the kinetic frictional force exerted on the fireman as he slides down the pole?

Answer 1

PE max = Mg*h-Fk*h = 0.5*M*V^2

M = 98.5 kg
g = 9.8 m/s^2
h = 4 m
V = 1.81 m/s.
Solve for Fk.

Divide both sides by M, and solve for Fk