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Force of static and kinetic friction – problems and solutions

1. An object rests on a horizontal floor. The coefficient static friction is 0.4 and acceleration of gravity
is 9.8 m/s2. Determine (a) The maximum force of static friction (b) minimum force of F is exerted on
the object, that will start the object moving.

Solution

Known :
Mass (m) = 1 kg
coefficient static friction (μs) = 0.4
acceleration of gravity (g) = 9.8 m/s2
weight (w) = m g = (1 kg)(10 m/s2) = 10 kg m/s2 = 10 Newton
Normal force (N) = w = 10 Newton
Wanted :
(a) The maximum force of static friction (b) minimum force of F
Solution :
(a) The maximum force of static friction
fs = μs N
fs = (0.4)(9.8 N) = 3.92 Newton
(b) minimum force of F
If force F is exerted on the object but the object isn't move, so there must be the force of static friction
exerted by the floor on the object. If the object will start to move, force of static friction is exceeded,
there must be the force of kinetic friction. Object start move if F is greater than the maximum force of
static friction.
So minimum force of F = the maximum force of static friction = 3.92 Newton.

2. 1 kg box is pulled along a horizontal surface by a force F, so the box is moving at a constant
velocity. If coefficient kinetic friction is 0.1, determine magnitude of force F! (g = 9.8 m/s2)

Known :
coefficient kinetic friction (μk) = 0.1
box's mass (m) = 1 kg
Acceleration of gravity (g) = 9.8 m/s2
weight (w) = m g = (1 kg)(9.8 m/s2) = 9.8 kg m/s2 = 9.8 Newton
normal force (N) = w = 9.8 Newton
Wanted : F
Solution :
Newton's first law states that if no net force acts on an object, every object continues in it's state of rest,
or of constant velocity in a stright line.
So if object move at a constant velocity, there must no net force (ΣF = 0). Force F is exerted on the
object to the right direction, so that force of kinetic friction is exerted on the object to the left direction.
∑F = 0
F – fk = 0

© 2018 | San Alexander

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F = fk
force of kinetic friction :
fk = μk N = (0.1)(9.8 N) = 0.98 Newton
object moves with constant velocity, F = fk = 0.98 Newton

3. An object slides down an incline with constant velocity. Determine coefficient kinetic friction (μk). g
= 9.8 m/s2

Solution

w = weight, wx = horizontal component of weight, points along the incline, w y = vertical component of
weight, perpendicular to the incline , N = normal force, fk = force of kinetic friction.
Known :
Mass (m) = 1 kg
Acceleration of gravity (g) = 9.8 m/s2
weight (w) = m g = (1 kg)(9.8 m/s2) = 9.8 kg m/s2 = 9.8 Newton
wx = w sin 30o = (9.8 N)(0.5) = 4.9 Newton
wy = w cos 30 = (9.8 N)(0.5)√3 = 4.9√3 Newton
Normal force (N) = wy = 4.9√3 Newton
Wanted : coefficient kinetic friction (μk)
Solution :
Object slides down an incline with constant velocity sos that net force = 0.
∑F = 0
w x – fk = 0
w x = fk
wx = μ k N
5 = μk (5√3)
μk = 5 / 5√3
μk = 1 /√3
μk = 0.58

© 2018 | San Alexander