In a truck-loading station at a post office, a small 0.200-kg package is released from rest at point A on a track that is one quarter of a circle with radius 1.60 m (the figure). The size of the package is much less then 1.60 m, so the package can be treated as a particle. It slides down the track and reaches point B with a speed of 4.40 m/s. From point B, it slides on a level surface a distance of 3.00 m to point C, where it comes to rest.

In a truck-loading station at a post office, a small 0.200-kg package is released from rest at point A on a track that is one quarter of a circle with radius 1.60 m (the figure). The size of the package is much less then 1.60 m, so the package can be treated as a particle. It slides down the track and reaches point B with a speed of 4.40 m/s. From point B, it slides on a level surface a distance of 3.00 m to point C, where it comes to rest.

Part A 

What is the coefficient of kinetic friction on the horizontal surface?

Part B

How much work is done on the package by friction as it slides down the circular arc from A to B?

The Solution