An object with a mass of 10 kg10kg is on a plane with an incline of - pi/4 π4. If it takes 12 N12N to start pushing the object down the plane and 6 N6N to keep pushing it, what are the coefficients of static and kinetic friction?

1 Answer
Jul 29, 2017

mu_s = 2.70μs=2.70

mu_k = 1.85μk=1.85

Explanation:

We're asked to find the coefficients of static friction mu_sμs and kinetic friction mu_kμk.

![upload.wikimedia.org](useruploads.socratic.org)

NOTE: Since the given angle is negative (-pi/4π4), I'll assume this is the angle of depression (the topmost angle in the above image), which means the angle if inclination is

pi/2 - pi/4 = ul(pi/4

I will use this angle for the problem's work.

The coefficient of static friction mu_s is given by the equation

f_s = mu_sn

where

  • f_s is the magnitude of the static friction force (the maximum allowed force before the object begins to move)

  • n is the magnitude of the normal force exerted by the incline plane (equal to mgcostheta)

We realize that the object starts to move when the static friction force is equal in magnitude to the other forces acting on the object (gravitational and applied force).

Thus,

f_s = mgsintheta + F_"applied"

We're given the mass is 10 "kg", the angle of inclination is pi/4, and that the applied necessary force is 12 "N", so we have

f_s = (10color(white)(l)"kg")sin(pi/4) + 12 "N" = 19.1 "N"

The magntide of the normal force n is

n = mgcostheta = (10color(white)(l)"kg")cos(pi/4) = 7.07 "N"

Thus,

mu_s = (f_s)/n = (19.1cancel("N"))/(7.07cancel("N")) = color(red)(ul(2.70

The coefficient of static friction mu_k is given by

f_k = mu_kn (notice the similarities to static friction)

where f_k is the magnitude of the kinetic friction force (the retarding force acting while the object is in motion).

The magnitude of the kinetic friction force will be equal to the applied pushing force (6 "N") plus the gravitational force (equal to mgsintheta):

f_k = 6 "N" + 7.07 "N" = 13.1 "N"

Therefore, we have

mu_k = (f_k)/n = (13.1cancel("N"))/(7.07cancel("N")) = color(blue)(ul(1.85