if done long enough, rubbing two sticks together can produce enough heat to start a fire. if 100.0 J of thermal energy is required to start the fire and the average frictional force between the sticks is 20.0 N, the distance the sticks must slide past one other is
To find the distance the sticks must slide past one another, we need to use the equation:
work = force x distance
where work is the amount of energy required to start the fire.
We can rearrange the equation to solve for distance:
distance = work / force
Plugging in the given values, we get:
distance = 100.0 J / 20.0 N = 5.0 meters
Therefore, the sticks must slide past one another a distance of 5.0 meters to produce enough heat to start the fire. Keep in mind that this calculation assumes ideal conditions with no energy losses due to friction or heat dissipation. In reality, the required distance may be greater due to inefficiencies in the rubbing process.