An object with a mass of 8kg is on a plane with an incline of π12. If it takes 8N to start pushing the object down the plane and 2N to keep pushing it, what are the coefficients of static and kinetic friction?

1 Answer
Aug 13, 2017

μs max0.37 μk0.29

Explanation:

To determine the coefficients of (maximum) static and kinetic friction, we can set up a force diagram and take inventory of all of the forces acting on the object.

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where n is the normal force, FA is the applied (pushing) force, f is the force of friction, and FG is the force of gravity, decomposed into its parallel and perpendicular components

Since we're pushing the object down the plane, I'm going to define down the ramp as the positive direction. This choice is generally up to you.

Therefore, we have:

(Fx)net=Fx=FA+(FG)xf=max

(Fy)net=Fy=n(FG)y=may

We are given the following information:

  • m=8kg
  • θ=π1215o
  • FA to start moving=8N
  • FA to keep moving=2N

We'll begin with the coefficient of static friction. The force of static friction is given by:

fsmax=μsn

We are told that it takes 8N to get the object to start moving, which we interpret as a minimum of 8N. Therefore, there is just enough force applied to move the object, and so there is no acceleration. This means the object is in a state of dynamic equilibrium.

  • This is actually true for both the parallel (x, horizontal) and perpendicular (y, vertical) directions, as the object does not move up and down, meaning that the perpendicular component of gravity is equal and opposite to the normal force.

(Fx)net=Fx=FA+(FG)xfs=0

(Fy)net=Fy=n(FG)y=0

Hence, we now have:

FA+(FG)x=fs

n=(FG)y

Using trigonometry, we see that:

sin(θ)=oppositehypotenuse

sin(θ)=(FG)xFG

(FG)x=FGsin(θ)

Similarly, we find that (FG)y=FGcos(θ)

We also know that FG=mg, so:

FA+mgsin(θ)=μsn

FA+mgsin(θ)=μsmgcos(θ)

Solving for μs:

μs=FA+mgsin(θ)mgcos(θ)

Substituting in our known values:

μs=(8N)+(8kg)(9.81m/s2)sin(15o)(8kg)(9.81m/s2)cos(15o)

=0.3735

0.37

Therefore, the coefficient of maximum static friction is 0.37.

For the coefficient of kinetic friction, we do much of the same, including the assumption of dynamic equilibrium.

μk=FA+mgsin(θ)mgcos(θ)

=(2N)+(8kg)(9.81m/s2)sin(15o)(8kg)(9.81m/s2)cos(15o)

=0.2943

0.32

Therefore, the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.29.

We would expect μs>μk, which works out here, even if slightly.