Clinical Biomechanics Spring 2022

Problem #5, 10 points Due May 3

An individual is trying to push a 130 lb desk across a floor. The static coefficient of friction
between the desk and floor is 0.61, and the kinetic coefficient of friction is 0.57.

1. How much pushing force does it take to initiate movement of the desk?

2. Once the desk is moving, how much pushing force does it take to maintain constant
velocity?

3. If the pushing force is increased to 400 N in part b) and the velocity increases, what is
kinetic friction force?

The mass of a cyclist and his bike is 88 kg, the drag coefficient is 0.87, the frontal area is 0.53
m2, and the density of air is 1.2 kg/m3.

4. hat is the drag force on this bicyclist if he has a velocity of 13 m/s?

5. What is the drag force on this bicyclist if he has a velocity of 13 m/s and is biking into a 10
m/s wind?
An individual is pushing a 60 kg desk. The static coefficient of friction between the desk and the
floor is 0.61, and the kinetic coefficient of friction is 0.57.

6. hat is the acceleration of the desk if 550 N of pushing force is applied when the floor is a flat
horizontal surface?

7. What is the acceleration of the desk if 550 N of pushing force is applied when the floor has
an upward slope of 5°?

8. What is the acceleration of the desk if 550 N of pushing force is applied when the floor has a
downward slope of 5°?

The mass of a cyclist and his bike is 88 kg, the drag coefficient is 0.87, the frontal area is 0.44
m2, and the density of air is 1.2 kg/m3.

9. What is the acceleration of this cyclist if he is coasting down a steep hill with a downward
slope of 11º and a velocity of 14 m/s? Assume negligible wind.

10. What is the terminal velocity of this cyclist if he is coasting down a long, steep hill with a
downward slope of 11º? Assume negligible wind.