Coefficient Kenetic Friction and Kenetic Force

In summary: Then you can start to work out the basic equation.In summary, the coefficient of kinetic friction is given by the weight of the sled X cos 30 degrees.
  • #1
BluE
23
0
Hey, can you guys help me out with this...

A 75 kg box slides down a 25 degree ramp with an acceleration of 3.6 m/s^2 ...what is the coefficient of kenetic friction?

I know how to do the basic equation problems from what our teacher told us, but I don't know how to manipulate the equations here to find Fk (kenetic force).

Also just double checking, does Fn (normal force) = (75)x(3.6)?

Can someone please confirm and point me in the right direction?
 
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  • #2
BluE said:
A 75 kg box slides down a 25 degree ramp with an acceleration of 3.6 m/s^2 ...what is the coefficient of kenetic friction?

Kinetic friction is given by=> Coefficient of kinetic friction X Normal force. To find the coefficient. You need to first know wat's the friction on the box sliding down the ramp and the normal force.

BluE said:
Also just double checking, does Fn (normal force) = (75)x(3.6)?

Nope. Draw out the free body diagram of the box first. Draw out the forces acting on the block.

Mainly there is the weight of the box acting perpendicular downwards and the friction which is in oposite direction to the direction of the motion.

Next draw out the vertical and horizontal components of the weight. The vertical component will be equals to ur normal force, according to ur Newton's 3rd law. Hence, normal force is given by=>Weight of the box X cos 25.

To find frctional force, take the horizontal component of the force minus the force causing the acceleration of the box down the ramp. Note, the horizontal component of the force will be given by (Weight of box X Sin 25) and the acceleration of the box will be given by (F=ma). After finding frictional force, you can hence use the above eqn to find kinetic friction.
 
  • #3
I used free body diagram and based on numbers that we have, I didn't get the right answer for the coefficient of kenetic friction (mu k), which should become 0.061. I can't figure out how to get to here.. it's so frusterating.. please help clearify the steps.
 
  • #4
The weight of an object is due to gravity pulling on its mass m, producing an acceleration g, so weight W = mg.

The box on the incline is being pulled downward (vertically) by gravity, but it is contrained by the ramp, so is must slide down the ramp.

The weight vector is at an angle with respect to the ramp, so one must resolve the weight into the normal force applied on the ramp and the component which is parallel to the ramp. Opposing the gravitational force pulling the box down the ramp is friction, which is proportional to the normal force by the kinetic friction factor.

Please refer to these -

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/frict.html

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/N2st.html
 
  • #5
Alright, to make it simple, the steps you need to go through is this..
1) Find kinetic friction.(mgsin(theta)-ma)
2) Find normal force. given by( mg cos(theta))
3) By using the formula for kinetic friction( kinetic friction=coefficient of friction X normal force), You should be able to find the coefficient.

Yes. The answer you should get is 0.061.
 
  • #6
Ok, I am confused about how to derive the normal force (mgcos(25)) and frictional force
 
  • #7
Refer to post #2, draw out the free body diagram and break up the components of the weight. The horizontal component of the weight is the kinetic friction and the vertical component of the weight is the normal force.
 
  • #8
Why do you subtract ma when calculating frictional force?
 
  • #9
The horizontal component of the weight actually gives the value of the box when there is no frictional force. Note that ma= horizontal component of the weight-frictional force. Therefore, frictional force=horizontal component of weight-ma.

Note that ma is ur resultant force on ur box. The force minus friction.
 
  • #10
hi guys.. could you please answer this?A 20 kilogram sled is being pulled across a horizontal surface at a constant velocity. The pulling force has a magnitude of 80 Newton and is directed at an angle of 30degrees above the horizontal. Determine the coeffecient of kinetic friction...
please i badly need your help as soon as possible.. thanks
 
  • #11
Where's ur own working.? A little clue to get u started.. draw a free body diagram of the sled.
 
Last edited:

1. What is the coefficient of kinetic friction?

The coefficient of kinetic friction is a measurement of the amount of friction between two surfaces in motion. It is represented by the symbol "μ" and is a unitless value between 0 and 1. A higher coefficient of kinetic friction indicates a greater resistance to motion between the two surfaces.

2. How is the coefficient of kinetic friction calculated?

The coefficient of kinetic friction is calculated by dividing the force of kinetic friction by the normal force between the two surfaces. The force of kinetic friction is determined by multiplying the coefficient of kinetic friction by the normal force.

3. What factors affect the coefficient of kinetic friction?

The coefficient of kinetic friction can be affected by several factors, including the texture and roughness of the surfaces, the weight of the objects in contact, and the presence of any lubricants or materials between the surfaces. In general, smoother surfaces and lower weights result in lower coefficients of kinetic friction.

4. How is kinetic force related to the coefficient of kinetic friction?

Kinetic force is the force required to keep an object in motion at a constant velocity against the resistance of kinetic friction. The coefficient of kinetic friction is directly proportional to the kinetic force, meaning that a higher coefficient of kinetic friction will result in a greater kinetic force needed to maintain motion.

5. How can the coefficient of kinetic friction be reduced?

The coefficient of kinetic friction can be reduced by using lubricants or other materials between the two surfaces, which can help to smooth out any roughness or irregularities. Additionally, choosing smoother surfaces and reducing the weight of the objects in contact can also lower the coefficient of kinetic friction.

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