A heavy sled and a light sled, both moving horizontally with the same speed, suddenly slide onto a rough patch of snow and eventually come to a stop. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the
Sleds and the rough snow is the same for both of them. Which of the following statements about
These sleds are correct? (There could be more than one correct choice.)
A) The friction from the snow will do the same amount of work on both sleds.
B) Both sleds will slide the same distance on the rough snow before stopping.
C) The heavy sled will slide farther on the rough snow than the light sled.
D) The light sled will slide farther on the rough snow than the heavy sled.
E) The friction from the snow will do more negative work on the heavy sled than on the light sled.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The frictional force depends on the normal force, which is greater for the heavy sled, causing it to stop sooner. Thus, both sleds will slide the same distance (B) because they have the same initial kinetic energy and frictional force per unit mass. The heavy sled experiences more negative work (E) due to its greater mass and frictional force.

A Heavy Sled and a Light Sled, Both Moving Horizontally