Determine normal force and friction of a toboggan with children

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the normal force and coefficient of kinetic friction for a toboggan being pulled with children on it. The scenario describes a parent pulling the toboggan at a constant velocity along a horizontal trail, with specific forces and angles involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the implications of constant velocity and the components of the pulling force. Questions arise about the relationship between friction and the forces acting on the toboggan, particularly regarding the normal force and how it is affected by the angle of the pulling force.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring different interpretations of the forces involved. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between the normal force and the gravitational force, as well as the effects of the pulling angle. There is no explicit consensus yet, as participants are still questioning and clarifying their understanding of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating assumptions about the forces acting on the toboggan, particularly the effects of the angle of the pulling force on the normal force. The problem context includes specific values for mass and force, but the exact calculations and methods remain under discussion.

thomasrules
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I've tried it but I got stuck at the part to find the coefficient of friction.

A parent pulls a toboggan with three children at a constant velocity for 38m along a horizontal trail. The total mass of the children and the toboggan is 66kg. The force the parent exerts is 58N[18 above the horizontal]

a)Determine the magnitude of the norml force and the coefficient of kinetic friction.
 
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What have you done so far? What does constant velocity tell you?
 
thomasrules said:
I've tried it but I got stuck at the part to find the coefficient of friction.

A parent pulls a toboggan with three children at a constant velocity for 38m along a horizontal trail. The total mass of the children and the toboggan is 66kg. The force the parent exerts is 58N[18 above the horizontal]

a)Determine the magnitude of the norml force and the coefficient of kinetic friction.
The horizontal component of the pulling force balances the friction force.

So:
[tex]F_{friction} = \mu_kF_N = 58Ncos(18)[/tex]

All you have to do is work out the normal force. Be careful. There are two components to the parent's pulling force. The vertical component reduces the normal force.

AM
 
Is FRICTION EQUAL TO WORK Facos18 because net f=0?

and the normal force would be fg=fn=mg?
 
thomasrules said:
Is FRICTION EQUAL TO WORK Facos18 because net f=0?

and the normal force would be fg=fn=mg?
No. See my previous post.

(1)[tex]F_N = mg - F_{pull}sin(\theta)[/tex]

(2)[tex]\mu_kF_N = F_{pull}cos(\theta)[/tex]

Substitute [itex]F_N[/itex] from (1) into (2) to get the coefficient of friction.

AM
 
but why wouldn't fn=fg...doesn't make sense
 
thomasrules said:
but why wouldn't fn=fg...doesn't make sense
There is an upward lift force due to the angle at which the parent is pulling the toboggan. This lift reduces the downward mg force.

AM
 

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