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ME103 ENGINEERING MECHANICS I

ASSIGNMENT NO 9
FRICTION
1. Determine whether the block shown in Figure P9.1 is in equilibrium and find the magnitude and
direction of the friction force when and .
2. For the block shown in Figure P9.2, determine the smallest value of required to (a) start the block up
the incline, (b) keep it moving up.
3. The coefficients of friction between the block and the rail shown in Figure P9.3 are and
. Knowing that , determine the smallest value of required (a) to start the block
moving up the rail, (b) to keep it from moving down.

Figure P9.1 Figure P9.2 Figure P9.3

4. The block is attached to link and rests on a moving belt as shown in Figure P9.4. Knowing
that and and neglecting the weight of the link, determine the magnitude of the
horizontal force that should be applied to the belt to maintain its motion (a) to the left as shown, (b)
to the right.
5. Considering only values of less than , determine the smallest value of required to start the
block, shown in Figure P9.5, moving to the right when .
6. Knowing that , determine the smallest force for which equilibrium of the block,
shown in Figure P9.6, is maintained.

Figure P9.4 Figure P9.5 Figure P9.6

EM-I 2080 Assignment 9
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7. The coefficients of friction are and between all surfaces of contact shown in
Figure P9.7. Determine the smallest force required to start the block moving if cable (a) is
attached as shown, (b) is removed.
8. The block and the block are supported by an incline that is held in the position shown
in Figure P9.8. Knowing that the coefficient of static friction is between the two blocks and zero
between block and the incline, determine the value of for which motion is impending.
9. Three packages , , and are placed on a conveyor belt that is at rest shown in Figure P9.9.
Between the belt and both packages and , the coefficients of friction are and ;
between package and the belt, the coefficients are and . The packages are placed
on the belt so that they are in contact with each other and at rest. Determine which, if any, of the
packages will move and the friction force acting on each package.

Figure P9.7 Figure P9.8 Figure P9.9

10. A uniform crate shown in Figure P9.10 with a mass of must be moved up along the incline
without tipping. Knowing that force is horizontal, determine (a) the largest allowable coefficient of
static friction between the crate and the incline, (b) the corresponding magnitude of force .
11. A worker slowly moves a crate to the left along a loading dock by applying a force at corner
as shown in Figure P9.11. Knowing that the crate starts to tip about edge of the loading dock when
, determine (a) the coefficient of kinetic friction between the crate and the loading dock,
(b) the corresponding magnitude of the force.
12. A ladder leans against a wall as shown in Figure P9.11. Assuming that the coefficient of
static friction is the same at and , determine the smallest value of for which equilibrium is
maintained.

EM-I 2080 Assignment 9

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Figure P9.10 Figure P9.11 Figure P9.12

Answers
1. Block is in equilibrium. 2.
3. , 4. , 
5. 6.
7. ,  8.
Package does not move and packages and move together. , ,
9.

10. , 11. ,
12.

EM-I 2080 Assignment 9