Academy of Mathematics

Physics IV
David Garcı́a Peláez Cruz
2023-2024

6 Homework
The sled’s problem
6.1. A 200 kg sled is descending on a 34 inclined plane. The sled begins its descending with a velocity
of 10 m/s. Between the sled and the plane there is a kinetic friction coefficient µk = 0.2. If the sled
finishes its descend with 70 m/s, at which height, the sled would have a 30 m/s velocity?

Escape velocity
6.2. The escape velocity of a celestial body is defined as the velocity of an object needed to get away from
it. It means that if we throw a ball with the escape velocity of the Earth, the ball will never fall down,
it will go directly to space.

(a) Prove that the escape velocity of the Earth is given by

p
ve = 2gRE ,

for RE the Earth’s radius.

Hint: Use energy conservation. Suppose Newton’s approximation (i.e. all the Earth’s mass in the
center). Consider in this case, that the kinetic energy is against the potencial energy (represent
that with signs). The initial position of the object should be at the surface of the planet, while the
final position will be far enough from the planet for not to feel its gravity anymore.
(b) Suppose that the Earth’s radius is 6371 km. Calculate the escape velocity.
(c) A rocket of 10 tons (international tons=1000 kg), wants to leave the Earth. Suppose that the
rocket starts from rest and has only one hour to reach the escape velocity. Calculate the force
needed to achieve this goal.

Work and energy...

6.3. A person pushes a box of mass m over the ground with a force F . The box moves horizontally a
distance x. Consider kinetic friction between the surface and the box.
(a) Prove that
Wtotal = Em ,
P
where Wtotal is the work done by the “total” force ( F ) and E m = Em f Em i
(b) With the same conditions written before, the box starts at rest and after the x distance the man
stops pushing and the box begins to ascend in an incline plane as shown in Figure 6.1. Show with
energy conservation that at the top of the plane the mechanical energy is given by

Emf = F x µk mg(x + h cot ✓) ,

where h is the height of the incline plane and ✓ de angle of the plane.

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 Figure 6.1: The box starts at rest and after the x distance, the person stops pushing.

Breaking the pendulum

6.4. Consider a simple pendulum of 60 cm length and 5 kg. The pendulum is pulled up to 80 from the
vertical line (see figure 6.2).

(a) Calculate the potential energy in that position. Consider that the “cero” potencial height is when
the mass is completely vertical (position in which the pendulum cannot move by itself).
(b) Suppose now, that the pendulum in the position aforementioned is released. The mass passes
through the lowest position and continue up to make 30 from the other side of the vertical line
(see figure 6.2). Calculate in this position the velocity of the pendulum.
(c) Suppose that, when the pendulum reaches the position of b), the rope is cut and the mass is free
to move in a parabolic motion. Find the velocity of the mass as a vector (magnitud and direction)
(d) Calculate the distance R where the mass touches the ground, measured from the vertical line of
the pendulum (see figure 6.2).

Figure 6.2: Pendulum where the rope is cut.

“The important thing in science is not so

much to obtain new facts as to discover new
ways of thinking about them.”
Sir. William Lawrence Bragg

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