Solving Coefficient of Static Friction for Friction Problem & Grass-Skiing

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the coefficient of static friction in two scenarios: a man dragging a bag at an angle and a man skiing down an incline. The problems involve understanding forces acting on objects in motion and the relationship between friction, normal force, and acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants suggest drawing free-body diagrams to resolve forces and identify the normal force and frictional force. Questions arise about the relevance of time and velocity in the skiing scenario, and whether aerodynamic drag should be considered in the calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on resolving forces and balancing equations, while others are exploring the implications of additional factors like aerodynamic drag. Multiple interpretations of the problems are being discussed, but no consensus has been reached on the approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can use or the methods they can apply. There is uncertainty regarding the inclusion of aerodynamic drag in the skiing problem.

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A Man dragged a 51 Kg bag at a 45 degree angle with a force of 400 N. The bag moved along hte pavement with a constant speed. What is the coefficient of static friction?

OK SO, you can make a triangle and figure out that 283 N are pulling horrizontal and 283 pulling vertically. But I am not sure how to plug any of that into the

F=(Friction coef)N

where F is force of friction, and N is normal force...

How do i find the coeff. of static fricton?

Another one that is similar is the following:

In grass-skiing, a man goes down at 92 Km/hr. It takes him 6.6 to reach that speed from rest at a 35 degree incline. His mass is 75 Kg. What is the coeffcient of friction between the grass and his skis that day?

I'm totally lost...help please!?
 
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1) Draw a free-body diagram and resolve the forces parallel and perpendicular to the inclined plane.

Since there is no acceleration along both these directions, the forces must be balanced. One equation will tell you what N is, and the other will tell you what (mu)N is.

From these two numbers you can find (mu).

2) What is the use of the knowing the time and velocity ? Can you find something useful from that ?
 
Since the bag is moving at constant velocity, the net force acting on it is zero.
Given the force which is pulling the bag, you can get the force of friction.
 
fs, max = 400 N : Fs, max/fn=U sub s : Fn= mass times gravity times the cosine of 45
 
In grass-skiing, a man goes down at 92 Km/hr. It takes him 6.6 to reach that speed from rest at a 35 degree incline. His mass is 75 Kg. What is the coeffcient of friction between the grass and his skis that day?

Is areodynamic drag part of this problem? If so, you need to use terminal velocity equations (do a web search for this). Also, you don't need to know his mass to solve this problem, since gravity and friction will both be relative to the mass. Treat the friction as an acceleration factor instead of a force factor and then you can ignore the mass.
 

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