An object with a mass of 4kg is lying still on a surface and is compressing a horizontal spring by 78m. If the spring's constant is 12kgs2, what is the minimum value of the surface's coefficient of static friction?

2 Answers
Dec 16, 2017

The coefficient of static friction must be at least 0.268

Explanation:

If the object is motionless, then Newton's first law assures us that the (two) horizontal forces acting on it must be is balance.

These forces are the elastic force of the spring, which is described by Hooke's law:

F=kx where k is the spring constant and x is the amount of compression (or extension) of the spring.

and the force of friction:

Ff=μsFN

where FN is the normal force between the mass and the surface it rests on, and in the case of a horizontal surface, is equal to mg.

Putting it together, we get

kx=μsmg

and, solving for μs:

μs=kxmg=12×784×9.8=10.539.2=0.268

Dec 16, 2017

The coefficient of static friction is =0.27

Explanation:

The mass is m=4kg

The compression of the spring is x=78m

The spring constant is k=12kgs2

The reaction of the spring is R=kx=1278=10.5N

THe acceleration due to gravity is g=9.8ms2

The normal reaction of the object is N=mg=49.8=39.2N

The coefficient of static friction is

μs=RN=10.539.2=0.27