An object with a mass of 8 kg8kg is on a plane with an incline of - pi/3 π3. If it takes 16 N16N to start pushing the object down the plane and 15 N15N to keep pushing it, what are the coefficients of static and kinetic friction?

1 Answer
Aug 20, 2017

mu_s<=2.13, mu_k~~2.11μs2.13,μk2.11

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.

enter image source here

where vecnn is the normal force, vecF_AFA is the applied (pushing) force, vecff is the force of friction, and vecF_GFG 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:

color(darkblue)((F_x)_(n et)=sumF_x=F_A+(F_G)_x-f=ma_x)(Fx)net=Fx=FA+(FG)xf=max

color(darkblue)((F_y)_(n et)=sumF_y=n-(F_G)_y=ma_y)(Fy)net=Fy=n(FG)y=may

We are given the following information:

  • |->m=8"kg"m=8kg
  • |->theta=-(pi)/3->60^oθ=π360o
  • |->F_A " to start moving" = 16"N"FA to start moving=16N
  • |->F_A " to keep moving" = 15"N"FA to keep moving=15N

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

color(darkblue)(vecf_(s"max")=mu_svecn)fsmax=μsn

We are told that it takes 16"N"16N to get the object to start moving, which we interpret as a minimum of 16"N"16N. 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.

color(darkblue)(F_(x" net")=sumF_x=F_A+F_(Gx)-f_(s "max" )=0)Fx net=Fx=FA+FGxfsmax=0

color(darkblue)(F_(y" net")=sumF_y=n-F_(Gy)=0)Fy net=Fy=nFGy=0

Hence, we now have:

F_A+F_(Gx)=f_(s"max")FA+FGx=fsmax

n=F_(Gy)n=FGy

Using trigonometry, we see that:

sin(theta)="opposite"/"hypotenuse"sin(θ)=oppositehypotenuse

=>sin(theta)=(F_G)_x/F_Gsin(θ)=(FG)xFG

=>color(blue)((F_G)_x=F_Gsin(theta))(FG)x=FGsin(θ)

Similarly, we find that color(blue)((F_G)_y=F_Gcos(theta))(FG)y=FGcos(θ)

We also know that F_G=mgFG=mg, so:

F_A+mgsin(theta)=mu_(s"max")nFA+mgsin(θ)=μsmaxn

=>F_A+mgsin(theta)=mu_(s"max")mgcos(theta)FA+mgsin(θ)=μsmaxmgcos(θ)

Solving for mu_sμs:

color(blue)(mu_(s"max")=(F_A+mgsin(theta))/(mgcos(theta)))μsmax=FA+mgsin(θ)mgcos(θ)

Substituting in our known values:

mu_(s"max")=((16"N")+(8"kg")(9.81"m"//"s"^2)sin(60^o))/((8"kg")(9.81"m"//"s"^2)cos(60^o))μsmax=(16N)+(8kg)(9.81m/s2)sin(60o)(8kg)(9.81m/s2)cos(60o)

=2.1340=2.1340

~~color(blue)(2.13)2.13

  • Therefore, the coefficient of maximum static friction is ~~color(dark blue)(2.13)2.13, and so the coefficient of static friction is >=2.132.13.

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

mu_k=(F_A+mgsin(theta))/(mgcos(theta))μk=FA+mgsin(θ)mgcos(θ)

=((15"N")+(8"kg")(9.81"m"//"s"^2)sin(60^o))/((8"kg")(9.81"m"//"s"^2)cos(60^o))=(15N)+(8kg)(9.81m/s2)sin(60o)(8kg)(9.81m/s2)cos(60o)

=2.114=2.114

~~color(blue)(2.11)2.11

  • Therefore, the coefficient of kinetic friction is ~~2.112.11.

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