Friction - 2 Prepared by Anish

1. Find the maximum and minimum values of m

for which the system remains in equilibrium
 s  0.1

7. The belt is moved with constant velocity

10m/s. The block is gently placed over the belt.
The kinetic friction is 0.2. Analyze the motion
of the block
2. The block is moving with constant velocity.
What is the value of friction force? What will be
the friction force if the applied force becomes
40N?

3. The block is moving with constant velocity.

What is the friction force? What is the
coefficient of kinetic friction? And the actual
force by the surface on the block?

4. The friction coefficient between m and 2m is  .

What is the acceleration of each block? (IIT
Advance)

5. What should be the minimum acceleration of

the wedge such that the blocks do not slip over
the wedge? IIT (Advance)

6. The block is kept over the belt. The coefficient

of static friction between belt and block is 0.3.
What can be the maximum acceleration of the
block such that the block does not slip over the
belt?

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Friction - 2 Prepared by Anish

Solution
1. Find the maximum and minimum values of m
for which the system remains in equilibrium
 s  0.1
Sol : As the block is moving with constant velocity
the net force on it will be zero. The friction will
be equal to 30N.

Sol : At maximum value of m the block 2kg will be

at the verge of slipping towards right and the
friction will be at maximum value. At
minimum value 2kg will be at the verge of
slipping left and the friction will be at
maximum value.
Let us consider the case of minimum m
4.
The net force by the surface will be equal to the
resultant of normal reaction and friction on the
block by the surface.
The net force by the surface will be
 30 2   40 2  50N
The friction coefficient between m and 2m is  .
What is the acceleration of each block? (IIT
Advance)

The tension is shown in each rope.

3g  T1 ................(1)
T1  T2  f  T1  T2  0.1  2g  ...........(2)
T  mg ..................(3) Sol : Block m will move down and block 2m will
From the given equations we can get the value move right. Friction will develop between m
of m and 2m surface as they are in contact.
2. The block is moving with constant velocity.
What is the value of friction force? What will be
the friction force if the applied force becomes
40N?

Let the acceleration of 2m be as shown in the

Sol : As the block is moving with constant velocity
the net force on the block will be zero. The
friction will be kinetic and it will be equal to
applied force 20N.
When the applied force becomes 40N the
friction will still remain same 20N as it is
kinetic friction.
3. The block is moving with constant velocity.
What is the friction force? What is the
coefficient of kinetic friction? And the actual
force by the surface on the block?
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figure. We will analyze the motion of m wrt
2m; hence pseudo force is applied on m.
Equation of 2m
2T  N  2ma ..............(1)
Equation of m
As we have applied pseudo force on m, we will
treat the block 2m at rest for m
N  ma ............(2)
mg  T  f  ma r ..............(3)
f  N ................(4)
We will relate a and ar (length constraint)
Friction - 2 Prepared by Anish

This technique we have learnt in Newton’s

Laws.
2a  a r  0 Sol : As the belt is having acceleration towards right
From these equations we will be able to get the the block will have tendency to slip. This will
accelerations. develop friction on the block in right direction.
5. What should be the minimum acceleration of
the wedge such that the blocks do not slip over
the wedge? IIT (Advance)

The block is accelerated by static friction. This

Sol : There will be range of acceleration of the
wedge in which the blocks 2m and m will be at
rest wrt to wedge. When the acceleration is
minimum the block will be at the verge of
slipping down. As the wedge has acceleration a
7.
the blocks also have acceleration a as they are
not slipping.
static friction has a maximum value and that
will determine the maximum acceleration of
2kg. The maximum static friction is
0.3  2g   6N . The maximum possible
acceleration of 2kg is 3m/s2.
The belt should not have acceleration more
than 3m/s2 if we want that the block does not
slip over the belt.
The belt is moved with constant velocity
10m/s. The block is gently placed over the belt.
The kinetic friction is 0.2. Analyze the motion
of the block

Sol : The belt is moving with constant velocity. As

The friction force on each is shown in this case
the block is placed over the belt there will be
Equation of m
N  ma slipping between the belt and the block as the
velocity of block is zero. Friction will act on the
mg  T  f1
block in right direction. This will accelerate the
f1  N
block and increase the speed of the block.
Equation of 2m When the speed of the block becomes equal to
T  f2  2ma the belt’s speed the slipping will stop.
f2  N ' N '  2mg The friction force is f  0.2  2g   4N . The
From these equations we can get the value of a acceleration of the block is 2m/s2.
6. The block is kept over the belt. The coefficient Time taken when slipping stops : v  u  at
of static friction between belt and block is 0.3. 10  2t  t  5 sec
What can be the maximum acceleration of the
block such that the block does not slip over the
belt?

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