A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

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A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

By the end of the section, you will be able to:

  • Describe the general characteristics of friction
  • List the various types of friction
  • Calculate the magnitude of static and kinetic friction, and use these in problems involving Newton’s laws of motion

When a body is in motion, it has resistance because the body interacts with its surroundings. This resistance is a force of friction. Friction opposes relative motion between systems in contact but also allows us to move, a concept that becomes obvious if you try to walk on ice. Friction is a common yet complex force, and its behavior still not completely understood. Still, it is possible to understand the circumstances in which it behaves.

The basic definition of friction is relatively simple to state.

Friction is a force that opposes relative motion between systems in contact.

There are several forms of friction. One of the simpler characteristics of sliding friction is that it is parallel to the contact surfaces between systems and is always in a direction that opposes motion or attempted motion of the systems relative to each other. If two systems are in contact and moving relative to one another, then the friction between them is called kinetic friction. For example, friction slows a hockey puck sliding on ice. When objects are stationary, static friction can act between them; the static friction is usually greater than the kinetic friction between two objects.

If two systems are in contact and stationary relative to one another, then the friction between them is called static friction. If two systems are in contact and moving relative to one another, then the friction between them is called kinetic friction.

Imagine, for example, trying to slide a heavy crate across a concrete floor—you might push very hard on the crate and not move it at all. This means that the static friction responds to what you do—it increases to be equal to and in the opposite direction of your push. If you finally push hard enough, the crate seems to slip suddenly and starts to move. Now static friction gives way to kinetic friction. Once in motion, it is easier to keep it in motion than it was to get it started, indicating that the kinetic frictional force is less than the static frictional force. If you add mass to the crate, say by placing a box on top of it, you need to push even harder to get it started and also to keep it moving. Furthermore, if you oiled the concrete you would find it easier to get the crate started and keep it going (as you might expect).

(Figure) is a crude pictorial representation of how friction occurs at the interface between two objects. Close-up inspection of these surfaces shows them to be rough. Thus, when you push to get an object moving (in this case, a crate), you must raise the object until it can skip along with just the tips of the surface hitting, breaking off the points, or both. A considerable force can be resisted by friction with no apparent motion. The harder the surfaces are pushed together (such as if another box is placed on the crate), the more force is needed to move them. Part of the friction is due to adhesive forces between the surface molecules of the two objects, which explains the dependence of friction on the nature of the substances. For example, rubber-soled shoes slip less than those with leather soles. Adhesion varies with substances in contact and is a complicated aspect of surface physics. Once an object is moving, there are fewer points of contact (fewer molecules adhering), so less force is required to keep the object moving. At small but nonzero speeds, friction is nearly independent of speed.

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move
Figure 6.10 Frictional forces, such as

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

always oppose motion or attempted motion between objects in contact. Friction arises in part because of the roughness of the surfaces in contact, as seen in the expanded view. For the object to move, it must rise to where the peaks of the top surface can skip along the bottom surface. Thus, a force is required just to set the object in motion. Some of the peaks will be broken off, also requiring a force to maintain motion. Much of the friction is actually due to attractive forces between molecules making up the two objects, so that even perfectly smooth surfaces are not friction-free. (In fact, perfectly smooth, clean surfaces of similar materials would adhere, forming a bond called a “cold weld.”)

The magnitude of the frictional force has two forms: one for static situations (static friction), the other for situations involving motion (kinetic friction). What follows is an approximate empirical (experimentally determined) model only. These equations for static and kinetic friction are not vector equations.

The magnitude of static friction

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

is

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

where

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

is the coefficient of static friction and N is the magnitude of the normal force.

The symbol

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

means less than or equal to, implying that static friction can have a maximum value of

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Static friction is a responsive force that increases to be equal and opposite to whatever force is exerted, up to its maximum limit. Once the applied force exceeds

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

the object moves. Thus,

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

The magnitude of kinetic friction

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

is given by

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

where

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

is the coefficient of kinetic friction.

A system in which

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

is described as a system in which friction behaves simply. The transition from static friction to kinetic friction is illustrated in (Figure).

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move
Figure 6.11 (a) The force of friction

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

between the block and the rough surface opposes the direction of the applied force

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

The magnitude of the static friction balances that of the applied force. This is shown in the left side of the graph in (c). (b) At some point, the magnitude of the applied force is greater than the force of kinetic friction, and the block moves to the right. This is shown in the right side of the graph. (c) The graph of the frictional force versus the applied force; note that

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

This means that

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

As you can see in (Figure), the coefficients of kinetic friction are less than their static counterparts. The approximate values of

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

are stated to only one or two digits to indicate the approximate description of friction given by the preceding two equations.

Approximate Coefficients of Static and Kinetic Friction
System Static Friction

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Kinetic Friction

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Rubber on dry concrete 1.0 0.7
Rubber on wet concrete 0.5-0.7 0.3-0.5
Wood on wood 0.5 0.3
Waxed wood on wet snow 0.14 0.1
Metal on wood 0.5 0.3
Steel on steel (dry) 0.6 0.3
Steel on steel (oiled) 0.05 0.03
Teflon on steel 0.04 0.04
Bone lubricated by synovial fluid 0.016 0.015
Shoes on wood 0.9 0.7
Shoes on ice 0.1 0.05
Ice on ice 0.1 0.03
Steel on ice 0.4 0.02

(Figure) and (Figure) include the dependence of friction on materials and the normal force. The direction of friction is always opposite that of motion, parallel to the surface between objects, and perpendicular to the normal force. For example, if the crate you try to push (with a force parallel to the floor) has a mass of 100 kg, then the normal force is equal to its weight,

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

perpendicular to the floor. If the coefficient of static friction is 0.45, you would have to exert a force parallel to the floor greater than

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

to move the crate. Once there is motion, friction is less and the coefficient of kinetic friction might be 0.30, so that a force of only

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

keeps it moving at a constant speed. If the floor is lubricated, both coefficients are considerably less than they would be without lubrication. Coefficient of friction is a unitless quantity with a magnitude usually between 0 and 1.0. The actual value depends on the two surfaces that are in contact.

Many people have experienced the slipperiness of walking on ice. However, many parts of the body, especially the joints, have much smaller coefficients of friction—often three or four times less than ice. A joint is formed by the ends of two bones, which are connected by thick tissues. The knee joint is formed by the lower leg bone (the tibia) and the thighbone (the femur). The hip is a ball (at the end of the femur) and socket (part of the pelvis) joint. The ends of the bones in the joint are covered by cartilage, which provides a smooth, almost-glassy surface. The joints also produce a fluid (synovial fluid) that reduces friction and wear. A damaged or arthritic joint can be replaced by an artificial joint ((Figure)). These replacements can be made of metals (stainless steel or titanium) or plastic (polyethylene), also with very small coefficients of friction.

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move
Figure 6.12 Artificial knee replacement is a procedure that has been performed for more than 20 years. These post-operative X-rays show a right knee joint replacement. (credit: Mike Baird)

Natural lubricants include saliva produced in our mouths to aid in the swallowing process, and the slippery mucus found between organs in the body, allowing them to move freely past each other during heartbeats, during breathing, and when a person moves. Hospitals and doctor’s clinics commonly use artificial lubricants, such as gels, to reduce friction.

The equations given for static and kinetic friction are empirical laws that describe the behavior of the forces of friction. While these formulas are very useful for practical purposes, they do not have the status of mathematical statements that represent general principles (e.g., Newton’s second law). In fact, there are cases for which these equations are not even good approximations. For instance, neither formula is accurate for lubricated surfaces or for two surfaces siding across each other at high speeds. Unless specified, we will not be concerned with these exceptions.

A 20.0-kg crate is at rest on a floor as shown in (Figure). The coefficient of static friction between the crate and floor is 0.700 and the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.600. A horizontal force

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

is applied to the crate. Find the force of friction if (a)

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

(b)

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

(c)

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

and (d)

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move
Figure 6.13 (a) A crate on a horizontal surface is pushed with a force

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

(b) The forces on the crate. Here,

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

may represent either the static or the kinetic frictional force.

Strategy

The free-body diagram of the crate is shown in (Figure)(b). We apply Newton’s second law in the horizontal and vertical directions, including the friction force in opposition to the direction of motion of the box.

Solution

Newton’s second law gives

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Here we are using the symbol f to represent the frictional force since we have not yet determined whether the crate is subject to station friction or kinetic friction. We do this whenever we are unsure what type of friction is acting. Now the weight of the crate is

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

which is also equal to N. The maximum force of static friction is therefore

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

As long as

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

is less than 137 N, the force of static friction keeps the crate stationary and

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Thus, (a)

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

(b)

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

and (c)

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

(d) If

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

the applied force is greater than the maximum force of static friction (137 N), so the crate can no longer remain at rest. Once the crate is in motion, kinetic friction acts. Then

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

and the acceleration is

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Significance

This example illustrates how we consider friction in a dynamics problem. Notice that static friction has a value that matches the applied force, until we reach the maximum value of static friction. Also, no motion can occur until the applied force equals the force of static friction, but the force of kinetic friction will then become smaller.

A block of mass 1.0 kg rests on a horizontal surface. The frictional coefficients for the block and surface are

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

and

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

(a) What is the minimum horizontal force required to move the block? (b) What is the block’s acceleration when this force is applied?

[reveal-answer q=”fs-id1165036788230″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]

[hidden-answer a=”fs-id1165036788230″]

a. 4.9 N; b. 0.98 m/s2

[/hidden-answer]

One situation where friction plays an obvious role is that of an object on a slope. It might be a crate being pushed up a ramp to a loading dock or a skateboarder coasting down a mountain, but the basic physics is the same. We usually generalize the sloping surface and call it an inclined plane but then pretend that the surface is flat. Let’s look at an example of analyzing motion on an inclined plane with friction.

A skier with a mass of 62 kg is sliding down a snowy slope at a constant velocity. Find the coefficient of kinetic friction for the skier if friction is known to be 45.0 N.

Strategy

The magnitude of kinetic friction is given as 45.0 N. Kinetic friction is related to the normal force

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

by

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

; thus, we can find the coefficient of kinetic friction if we can find the normal force on the skier. The normal force is always perpendicular to the surface, and since there is no motion perpendicular to the surface, the normal force should equal the component of the skier’s weight perpendicular to the slope. (See (Figure), which repeats a figure from the chapter on Newton’s laws of motion.)

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move
Figure 6.14 The motion of the skier and friction are parallel to the slope, so it is most convenient to project all forces onto a coordinate system where one axis is parallel to the slope and the other is perpendicular (axes shown to left of skier). The normal force

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

is perpendicular to the slope, and friction

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

is parallel to the slope, but the skier’s weight

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

has components along both axes, namely

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

and

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

The normal force

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

is equal in magnitude to

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

so there is no motion perpendicular to the slope. However,

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

is less than

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

in magnitude, so there is acceleration down the slope (along the x-axis).

We have

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Substituting this into our expression for kinetic friction, we obtain

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

which can now be solved for the coefficient of kinetic friction

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Solution

Solving for

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

gives

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Substituting known values on the right-hand side of the equation,

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Significance

This result is a little smaller than the coefficient listed in (Figure) for waxed wood on snow, but it is still reasonable since values of the coefficients of friction can vary greatly. In situations like this, where an object of mass m slides down a slope that makes an angle

with the horizontal, friction is given by

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

All objects slide down a slope with constant acceleration under these circumstances.

We have discussed that when an object rests on a horizontal surface, the normal force supporting it is equal in magnitude to its weight. Furthermore, simple friction is always proportional to the normal force. When an object is not on a horizontal surface, as with the inclined plane, we must find the force acting on the object that is directed perpendicular to the surface; it is a component of the weight.

We now derive a useful relationship for calculating coefficient of friction on an inclined plane. Notice that the result applies only for situations in which the object slides at constant speed down the ramp.

An object slides down an inclined plane at a constant velocity if the net force on the object is zero. We can use this fact to measure the coefficient of kinetic friction between two objects. As shown in (Figure), the kinetic friction on a slope is

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

. The component of the weight down the slope is equal to

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

(see the free-body diagram in (Figure)). These forces act in opposite directions, so when they have equal magnitude, the acceleration is zero. Writing these out,

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Solving for

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

we find that

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Put a coin on a book and tilt it until the coin slides at a constant velocity down the book. You might need to tap the book lightly to get the coin to move. Measure the angle of tilt relative to the horizontal and find

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Note that the coin does not start to slide at all until an angle greater than

is attained, since the coefficient of static friction is larger than the coefficient of kinetic friction. Think about how this may affect the value for

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

and its uncertainty.

The simpler aspects of friction dealt with so far are its macroscopic (large-scale) characteristics. Great strides have been made in the atomic-scale explanation of friction during the past several decades. Researchers are finding that the atomic nature of friction seems to have several fundamental characteristics. These characteristics not only explain some of the simpler aspects of friction—they also hold the potential for the development of nearly friction-free environments that could save hundreds of billions of dollars in energy which is currently being converted (unnecessarily) into heat.

(Figure) illustrates one macroscopic characteristic of friction that is explained by microscopic (small-scale) research. We have noted that friction is proportional to the normal force, but not to the amount of area in contact, a somewhat counterintuitive notion. When two rough surfaces are in contact, the actual contact area is a tiny fraction of the total area because only high spots touch. When a greater normal force is exerted, the actual contact area increases, and we find that the friction is proportional to this area.

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move
Figure 6.15 Two rough surfaces in contact have a much smaller area of actual contact than their total area. When the normal force is larger as a result of a larger applied force, the area of actual contact increases, as does friction.

However, the atomic-scale view promises to explain far more than the simpler features of friction. The mechanism for how heat is generated is now being determined. In other words, why do surfaces get warmer when rubbed? Essentially, atoms are linked with one another to form lattices. When surfaces rub, the surface atoms adhere and cause atomic lattices to vibrate—essentially creating sound waves that penetrate the material. The sound waves diminish with distance, and their energy is converted into heat. Chemical reactions that are related to frictional wear can also occur between atoms and molecules on the surfaces. (Figure) shows how the tip of a probe drawn across another material is deformed by atomic-scale friction. The force needed to drag the tip can be measured and is found to be related to shear stress, which is discussed in Static Equilibrium and Elasticity. The variation in shear stress is remarkable (more than a factor of

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

) and difficult to predict theoretically, but shear stress is yielding a fundamental understanding of a large-scale phenomenon known since ancient times—friction.

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move
Figure 6.16 The tip of a probe is deformed sideways by frictional force as the probe is dragged across a surface. Measurements of how the force varies for different materials are yielding fundamental insights into the atomic nature of friction.

The two blocks of (Figure) are attached to each other by a massless string that is wrapped around a frictionless pulley. When the bottom 4.00-kg block is pulled to the left by the constant force

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

the top 2.00-kg block slides across it to the right. Find the magnitude of the force necessary to move the blocks at constant speed. Assume that the coefficient of kinetic friction between all surfaces is 0.400.

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move
Figure 6.17 (a) Each block moves at constant velocity. (b) Free-body diagrams for the blocks.

Strategy

We analyze the motions of the two blocks separately. The top block is subjected to a contact force exerted by the bottom block. The components of this force are the normal force

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

and the frictional force

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Other forces on the top block are the tension

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

in the string and the weight of the top block itself, 19.6 N. The bottom block is subjected to contact forces due to the top block and due to the floor. The first contact force has components

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

and

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

which are simply reaction forces to the contact forces that the bottom block exerts on the top block. The components of the contact force of the floor are

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

and

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Other forces on this block are

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

the tension

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

and the weight –39.2 N.

Solution

Since the top block is moving horizontally to the right at constant velocity, its acceleration is zero in both the horizontal and the vertical directions. From Newton’s second law,

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Solving for the two unknowns, we obtain

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

and

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

The bottom block is also not accelerating, so the application of Newton’s second law to this block gives

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

The values of

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

and T were found with the first set of equations. When these values are substituted into the second set of equations, we can determine

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

and P. They are

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Significance

Understanding what direction in which to draw the friction force is often troublesome. Notice that each friction force labeled in (Figure) acts in the direction opposite the motion of its corresponding block.

A 50.0-kg crate rests on the bed of a truck as shown in (Figure). The coefficients of friction between the surfaces are

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

and

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Find the frictional force on the crate when the truck is accelerating forward relative to the ground at (a) 2.00 m/s2, and (b) 5.00 m/s2.

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move
Figure 6.18 (a) A crate rests on the bed of the truck that is accelerating forward. (b) The free-body diagram of the crate.

Strategy

The forces on the crate are its weight and the normal and frictional forces due to contact with the truck bed. We start by assuming that the crate is not slipping. In this case, the static frictional force

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

acts on the crate. Furthermore, the accelerations of the crate and the truck are equal.

Solution

  1. Application of Newton’s second law to the crate, using the reference frame attached to the ground, yields

       

    A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

    We can now check the validity of our no-slip assumption. The maximum value of the force of static friction is

       

    A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

    whereas the actual force of static friction that acts when the truck accelerates forward at

       

    A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

    is only

       

    A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

    Thus, the assumption of no slipping is valid.

  2. If the crate is to move with the truck when it accelerates at

       

    A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

    the force of static friction must be

       

    A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

    Since this exceeds the maximum of 196 N, the crate must slip. The frictional force is therefore kinetic and is

       

    A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

    The horizontal acceleration of the crate relative to the ground is now found from

       

    A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Significance

Relative to the ground, the truck is accelerating forward at

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

and the crate is accelerating forward at

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

. Hence the crate is sliding backward relative to the bed of the truck with an acceleration

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Earlier, we analyzed the situation of a downhill skier moving at constant velocity to determine the coefficient of kinetic friction. Now let’s do a similar analysis to determine acceleration. The snowboarder of (Figure) glides down a slope that is inclined at

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

to the horizontal. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the board and the snow is

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

What is the acceleration of the snowboarder?

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move
Figure 6.19 (a) A snowboarder glides down a slope inclined at 13° to the horizontal. (b) The free-body diagram of the snowboarder.

Strategy

The forces acting on the snowboarder are her weight and the contact force of the slope, which has a component normal to the incline and a component along the incline (force of kinetic friction). Because she moves along the slope, the most convenient reference frame for analyzing her motion is one with the x-axis along and the y-axis perpendicular to the incline. In this frame, both the normal and the frictional forces lie along coordinate axes, the components of the weight are

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

, and the only acceleration is along the x-axis

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Solution

We can now apply Newton’s second law to the snowboarder:

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

From the second equation,

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Upon substituting this into the first equation, we find

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Significance

Notice from this equation that if

is small enough or

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

is large enough,

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

is negative, that is, the snowboarder slows down.

The snowboarder is now moving down a hill with incline

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

. What is the skier’s acceleration?

[reveal-answer q=”fs-id1165037850930″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]

[hidden-answer a=”fs-id1165037850930″]

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

; the negative sign indicates that the snowboarder is slowing down.
[/hidden-answer]

The glue on a piece of tape can exert forces. Can these forces be a type of simple friction? Explain, considering especially that tape can stick to vertical walls and even to ceilings.

When you learn to drive, you discover that you need to let up slightly on the brake pedal as you come to a stop or the car will stop with a jerk. Explain this in terms of the relationship between static and kinetic friction.

[reveal-answer q=”fs-id1165038273214″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]

[hidden-answer a=”fs-id1165038273214″]

If you do not let up on the brake pedal, the car’s wheels will lock so that they are not rolling; sliding friction is now involved and the sudden change (due to the larger force of static friction) causes the jerk.

[/hidden-answer]

When you push a piece of chalk across a chalkboard, it sometimes screeches because it rapidly alternates between slipping and sticking to the board. Describe this process in more detail, in particular, explaining how it is related to the fact that kinetic friction is less than static friction. (The same slip-grab process occurs when tires screech on pavement.)

A physics major is cooking breakfast when she notices that the frictional force between her steel spatula and Teflon frying pan is only 0.200 N. Knowing the coefficient of kinetic friction between the two materials, she quickly calculates the normal force. What is it?

[reveal-answer q=”fs-id1165036988460″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]

[hidden-answer a=”fs-id1165036988460″]

5.00 N

[/hidden-answer]

(a) When rebuilding his car’s engine, a physics major must exert

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

N of force to insert a dry steel piston into a steel cylinder. What is the normal force between the piston and cylinder? (b) What force would he have to exert if the steel parts were oiled?

(a) What is the maximum frictional force in the knee joint of a person who supports 66.0 kg of her mass on that knee? (b) During strenuous exercise, it is possible to exert forces to the joints that are easily 10 times greater than the weight being supported. What is the maximum force of friction under such conditions? The frictional forces in joints are relatively small in all circumstances except when the joints deteriorate, such as from injury or arthritis. Increased frictional forces can cause further damage and pain.

[reveal-answer q=”fs-id1165037987870″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]

[hidden-answer a=”fs-id1165037987870″]

a. 10.0 N; b. 97.0 N

[/hidden-answer]

Suppose you have a 120-kg wooden crate resting on a wood floor, with coefficient of static friction 0.500 between these wood surfaces. (a) What maximum force can you exert horizontally on the crate without moving it? (b) If you continue to exert this force once the crate starts to slip, what will its acceleration then be? The coefficient of sliding friction is known to be 0.300 for this situation.

(a) If half of the weight of a small

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

utility truck is supported by its two drive wheels, what is the maximum acceleration it can achieve on dry concrete? (b) Will a metal cabinet lying on the wooden bed of the truck slip if it accelerates at this rate? (c) Solve both problems assuming the truck has four-wheel drive.

[reveal-answer q=”fs-id1165036766851″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]

[hidden-answer a=”fs-id1165036766851″]

a.

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

; b. The cabinet will not slip. c. The cabinet will slip.
[/hidden-answer]

A team of eight dogs pulls a sled with waxed wood runners on wet snow (mush!). The dogs have average masses of 19.0 kg, and the loaded sled with its rider has a mass of 210 kg. (a) Calculate the acceleration of the dogs starting from rest if each dog exerts an average force of 185 N backward on the snow. (b) Calculate the force in the coupling between the dogs and the sled.

Consider the 65.0-kg ice skater being pushed by two others shown below. (a) Find the direction and magnitude of

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

the total force exerted on her by the others, given that the magnitudes

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

and

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

are 26.4 N and 18.6 N, respectively. (b) What is her initial acceleration if she is initially stationary and wearing steel-bladed skates that point in the direction of

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

(c) What is her acceleration assuming she is already moving in the direction of

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

(Remember that friction always acts in the direction opposite that of motion or attempted motion between surfaces in contact.)

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

[reveal-answer q=”659751″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]
[hidden-answer a=”659751″]a. 32.3 N,

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

b. 0; c.

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

in the direction of

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

[/hidden-answer]

Show that the acceleration of any object down a frictionless incline that makes an angle

with the horizontal is

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

. (Note that this acceleration is independent of mass.)

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Show that the acceleration of any object down an incline where friction behaves simply (that is, where

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

is

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Note that the acceleration is independent of mass and reduces to the expression found in the previous problem when friction becomes negligibly small

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

[reveal-answer q=”607581″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]
[hidden-answer a=”607581″]

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

[/hidden-answer]

Calculate the deceleration of a snow boarder going up a

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

slope, assuming the coefficient of friction for waxed wood on wet snow. The result of the preceding problem may be useful, but be careful to consider the fact that the snow boarder is going uphill.

A machine at a post office sends packages out a chute and down a ramp to be loaded into delivery vehicles. (a) Calculate the acceleration of a box heading down a

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

slope, assuming the coefficient of friction for a parcel on waxed wood is 0.100. (b) Find the angle of the slope down which this box could move at a constant velocity. You can neglect air resistance in both parts.

[reveal-answer q=”fs-id1165037974281″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]

[hidden-answer a=”fs-id1165037974281″]

a.

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

b.

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

[/hidden-answer]

If an object is to rest on an incline without slipping, then friction must equal the component of the weight of the object parallel to the incline. This requires greater and greater friction for steeper slopes. Show that the maximum angle of an incline above the horizontal for which an object will not slide down is

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

You may use the result of the previous problem. Assume that

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

and that static friction has reached its maximum value.

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

Calculate the maximum acceleration of a car that is heading down a

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

slope (one that makes an angle of

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

with the horizontal) under the following road conditions. You may assume that the weight of the car is evenly distributed on all four tires and that the coefficient of static friction is involved—that is, the tires are not allowed to slip during the deceleration. (Ignore rolling.) Calculate for a car: (a) On dry concrete. (b) On wet concrete. (c) On ice, assuming that

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

, the same as for shoes on ice.

[reveal-answer q=”fs-id1165036838774″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]

[hidden-answer a=”fs-id1165036838774″]

a.

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

b.

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

c.    

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

[/hidden-answer]

Calculate the maximum acceleration of a car that is heading up a

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

slope (one that makes an angle of

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

with the horizontal) under the following road conditions. Assume that only half the weight of the car is supported by the two drive wheels and that the coefficient of static friction is involved—that is, the tires are not allowed to slip during the acceleration. (Ignore rolling.) (a) On dry concrete. (b) On wet concrete. (c) On ice, assuming that

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

, the same as for shoes on ice.

Repeat the preceding problem for a car with four-wheel drive.

[reveal-answer q=”fs-id1165037157329″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]

[hidden-answer a=”fs-id1165037157329″]

a.

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

b.

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

c.

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

[/hidden-answer]

A freight train consists of two

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

engines and 45 cars with average masses of

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

(a) What force must each engine exert backward on the track to accelerate the train at a rate of

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

if the force of friction is

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

, assuming the engines exert identical forces? This is not a large frictional force for such a massive system. Rolling friction for trains is small, and consequently, trains are very energy-efficient transportation systems. (b) What is the force in the coupling between the 37th and 38th cars (this is the force each exerts on the other), assuming all cars have the same mass and that friction is evenly distributed among all of the cars and engines?

Consider the 52.0-kg mountain climber shown below. (a) Find the tension in the rope and the force that the mountain climber must exert with her feet on the vertical rock face to remain stationary. Assume that the force is exerted parallel to her legs. Also, assume negligible force exerted by her arms. (b) What is the minimum coefficient of friction between her shoes and the cliff?

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

[reveal-answer q=”129819″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]
[hidden-answer a=”129819″]a. 272 N, 512 N; b. 0.268[/hidden-answer]

A contestant in a winter sporting event pushes a 45.0-kg block of ice across a frozen lake as shown below. (a) Calculate the minimum force F he must exert to get the block moving. (b) What is its acceleration once it starts to move, if that force is maintained?

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

The contestant now pulls the block of ice with a rope over his shoulder at the same angle above the horizontal as shown below. Calculate the minimum force F he must exert to get the block moving. (b) What is its acceleration once it starts to move, if that force is maintained?

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move
[reveal-answer q=”665628″]Show Solution[/reveal-answer]

[hidden-answer a=”665628″]a. 46.5 N; b.    

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move
[/hidden-answer]

At a post office, a parcel that is a 20.0-kg box slides down a ramp inclined at

   

A uniform block of mass M is pulled at the top By a horizontal force but the block does not move

with the horizontal. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the box and plane is 0.0300. (a) Find the acceleration of the box. (b) Find the velocity of the box as it reaches the end of the plane, if the length of the plane is 2 m and the box starts at rest.