Finding Friction Force in a 11 kg Sphere

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the friction force acting on an 11 kg sphere held against a wall by a string at a 62-degree angle. Participants explore the implications of net torque being zero for the sphere's center and consider various equations related to the forces involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need for a free-body diagram and question how to label the friction force. They explore different interpretations of the tension force (F) and the angle's reference point. Some participants suggest that the lack of a diagram complicates the problem, leading to uncertainty about which equations are applicable.

Discussion Status

The conversation is active, with participants offering differing opinions on the correct equation to use based on the information provided. Some guidance has been offered regarding the interpretation of the problem, but no consensus has been reached regarding the correct approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of a diagram, which is critical for understanding the problem fully. There is also discussion about the assumptions regarding the angle measurement and the positioning of the string relative to the sphere.

srhly
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I wasn't for sure where to start with this problem. It is the first of 3 so if I understand how to do this one, I will be able to most likely get the others. I'm pretty sure that I need to make a free-body diagram of the forces in this situation but wasn't for sure where to label the friction force.

A 11 kg sphere is help against a wall by a string being pulled at an angle of 62 degrees. Given: f is the magnitude of the frictional force, and W=Mg.
If the net torque is equal to zero for the center of the sphere, that leads to which of the following?
1.Fsin(angle)=f
2.F+W=f
3.Fcos^2(angle)=f
4. F=f
5.W=f
 
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None of them look right based on what you have stated, but the statement is not clear. What is F? The force (tension) from the string? Is the angle measured relative to horizontal or vertical?
 
Sorry, I tried to post a picture that helped explain but it didn't work. F is the tension force of the string and the 62 degree angle is relative to the horizontal.
 
The correct answer is 4!


[tex]f\cdot R= F \cdot R[/tex]

(total torque relative to the center is zero)

R- radius
f - friction
F- tension in the string
 
clive said:
The correct answer is 4!


[tex]f\cdot R= F \cdot R[/tex]

(total torque relative to the center is zero)

R- radius
f - friction
F- tension in the string

That appears to be the only possible answer among the choices given, but it is not the only possible solution to the problem unless you know that the string is on a tangent of the sphere. So either the diagram that we have not seen shows it is tangent, or the question should be asking for a possible solution, not THE solution.
 
You're right OlderDan, we don't have the picture then we don't know if 1 or 4 is correct (for another ones the chances are slim to none whatever the picture would contain). So under the given circumstances 4 CAN BE an "answer". 1 can be an answer only if the angle is measured with respect to the vertical direction and the string is not tangent to the sphere.

Anyway, we're fooling around with this "without-figure" problem...
 
Last edited:
srhly said:
I wasn't for sure where to start with this problem. It is the first of 3 so if I understand how to do this one, I will be able to most likely get the others. I'm pretty sure that I need to make a free-body diagram of the forces in this situation but wasn't for sure where to label the friction force.

A 11 kg sphere is help against a wall by a string being pulled at an angle of 62 degrees. Given: f is the magnitude of the frictional force, and W=Mg.
If the net torque is equal to zero for the center of the sphere, that leads to which of the following?
1.Fsin(angle)=f
2.F+W=f
3.Fcos^2(angle)=f
4. F=f
5.W=f

Here, you can learn more :
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=72040

marlon
 

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