Dynamic Equilibrium

When the body moves and is affected by acceleration, include the reversed effective force in the force
system and treat the system similar to static equilibrium analysis,

Case 1: Body is accelerating

v
W
W a
REF= (a)
g
P

F=µk N

Case 2: Body is decelerating

v
W
W a
REF= (a)
g
P

F=µk N

N
Solved Problem:
What is the minimum distance can a car slide on a horizontal asphalt road if it is travelling at 25 m/s 2?
The coefficient to sliding friction between asphalt and rubber tire at 0.60. The weight of the car is 8500
kg. W

25 m/s

F f =µ N s

Solution:

∑ F x=0
µ N =ma
1
where: ∑ F y =0
W =N=mg

substituting equation 1 to 2: 2

µ W µ mg
a= = =µ g
m m
then: V

a=0.6 ( 9.81 )=5.886 m/ s2 deceleration

V f 2−V o2 ( 0 )2−( 25 )2
s= =
2a 2 (−5.88 )
s=53.2m

Assignments
1.) What force is necessary to accelerate a 30,000 pounds railway electric car at the rate of 1.25 ft/s 2, if
the force required to overcome frictional resistance is 400 pounds? Ans. P = 1556 lbs

2.) A 70-kg box is slid along the floor by a 400-N force as shown in figure below. The coefficient of
friction between the box and the floor is 0.50 when the box is sliding. Find the acceleration of the box.
Ans. 0.80 m/s2

3.) A 600-kg car is moving on a level road at 30 m]s. (a) How large a retarding force (assumed
constant) is required to stop it in a distance of 70 m? (b) What is the minimum coefficient of friction
between tires and roadway if this is to be possible? Assume the wheels are not locked, in which case
we are dealing with static friction − there’s no sliding. Ans. (a) F = -3.86 kN, (b) 0.66

4.) A car moving at 20 m/s along a horizontal road has its brakes suddenly applied and eventually
comes to rest. What is the shortest distance in which it can be stopped if the friction coefficient
between tires and road is 0.90? Assume that all four wheels brake identically. If the brakes don’t lock
the car stops via static friction. Ans. 23 m

5.) A horizontal force of 140 N is needed to pull a 60.0 kg box across the horizontal floor at constant
speed. What is the coefficient of friction between floor and box? Determine it to three significant
figures even though that’s quite unrealistic. Ans. 0.238