Example 2

A block with a mass m = 10 kg is pulled along a

horizontal surface at constant velocity by a force F
whose magnitude is 50 N and is applied at an angle
of 25 above the horizontal. What is mk between
o

block and surface?

N
N F sin 25 F= 50 N F sin 25
fk F cos 25

fk F cos 25
mg

mg
 No acceleration - ax = 0
F cos 25 − f k = ma x = 0 .................... 1

Block pulled along horizontal surface - ay = 0

N + F sin 25 − mg = ma y = 0 .................... 2
From 1: f k = F cos 25  m k N = F cos 25
From 2: N = mg − F sin 25
N
F cos 25
 mk = F sin 25
mg − F sin 25 fk F cos 25

= 0.59
mg
Suppose the object was pushed instead of being pulled
N
F= 50 N
F sin 25
F cos 25
fk fk

mg
f k = m k N = F cos 25
N = mg + F sin 25
F cos 25
mk =
mg + F sin 25
= 0.38
 Static Friction

Force applied insufficient to move object  F = f s

fs varies with applied force
Of interest is maximum fs
i.e. fs that just allows object to start moving
f s = ms N
Body at rest – Larger force needed to set it in motion
than to keep it at constant velocity.
f s  f k  ms  mk
 Example
Find the relation between 
and ms for the block to just
fs start moving down


sin mg cos N = mg cos 
m
g  mg
f s = m s N = mg sin 
N fs m s mg cos  = mg sin 
mg sin 
ms = = tan 
mg sin mg cos mg cos
Weight and body accelerating vertically

Suppose body of mass m is at rest on a lift.

N mg − N = ma = 0
N = mg
Weight of body is mg

mg
 Suppose lift accelerates down

N
mg − N = ma

a N = m( g − a )

mg Weight of body is m(g-a)

Weight is less than mg
Body feels as if weighs less
If a = g (lift under free fall) Weight =0
Body feels weightless
Suppose lift accelerates up
N
N − mg = ma
N = m( g + a )
a
Weight of body is m(g+a) > mg
mg
Body feels as if weighs more