Application of Newtons laws (Friction related) check my solutions please

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around applying Newton's laws to a problem involving friction. A child pushes a 0.72 kg block of wood, resulting in a velocity of 1.6 m/s after 2 seconds, with a friction coefficient of 0.64. The user calculates the normal force as 7.056 N and the frictional force as 4.51 N, but is confused about finding the net force and applied force. Participants emphasize the importance of first calculating acceleration using kinematic equations to determine the net force, which is essential for solving the problem accurately. The conversation highlights the need to clarify the relationship between forces acting on the block, particularly in the context of friction and applied force.
supernova1203
Messages
209
Reaction score
0
Application of Newtons laws (Friction related) check my solutions please :)

Dont forget to check the diagram, as it will probably help you see the problem correctly, don't worry, no need to download diagram attachment to view it.


Homework Statement


A child pushes a block of wood with a mass of 0.72 kg across a smooth table. The block starts from a position of rest and after 2 seconds its has a velocity of 1.6 m/s [forward]
The coefficient of friction is 0.64.

35a) Draw a free body diagram
- I drew the diagram and its in the attachment, don't worry you needn't downloading it to view it-

35b) Find the net force acting on the block of wood.

35c) Find the force of friction acting on the block of wood.

35d) Find the force with which the child actually pushes on the block of wood.


Homework Equations



F=mg
This is primarily to find Fn and Fg and the amount of force is exherted by a mass.

Ff=\muFn

This is to find force of friction, but strangely enough a lot of times in the course it can also be used to find force applied...this is something that has always perplexed me


The Attempt at a Solution


35a)
we use F=mg to find force normal, which is also Fg

=(0.72)(9.8)
F=7.056 N


we use the coefficient of friction and Fn to find force of friction, which is also force applied.

Ff=\muFn

Ff=(0.64)(7.056)

Ff= 4.51 N

Using this information we added magnitudes to our free body diagram (actual numbers in addition to just the directions/vectors) as shown in the diagram.


35b)


Fnet=0 N

Since
F left - F right = 0 N


35c)

Ff=4.51 N as we have already found this.


35d)

Fa=4.51 N


Thanks for checking all this, let me know if its right or not, if its not, please tell me how do to fix the solutions :)

thanks
 

Attachments

  • Lesson 11 question 2.jpg
    Lesson 11 question 2.jpg
    4 KB · Views: 628
Physics news on Phys.org
hi supernova1203! :smile:

for questions like this, you must start by finding the acceleration

(and your free body diagram is wrong …

ma is certainly not equal to the friction)​
 


can i use F=ma in this scenario to find net force? Iv used it before successfully in similar problems to find net force.

Using v1= 0 and v2 over T

I can find acceleration, and since i have mass i can re arrange to find force? Which in this case is net force?#edit

Any way you can show me how to find applied force in this case so i can find net force for 35b)?
 
Last edited:


supernova1203 said:
The block starts from a position of rest and after 2 seconds its has a velocity of 1.6 m/s [forward]

Sounds like the block is accelerating, so there is some net force in that direction. It looks like you've already noticed this and realized you can find the net force (F=ma will work once you get acceleration, look up kinematic equations if necessary). Once you get that, you already calculated the frictional force so you can use those two to find the applied force.

There's a reason they asked for the net force first! :)

And just to be clear, when using F = ma, with 'a' being the total acceleration, then F is the sum of all forces applied to the block. If you were working with vectors, you'd be looking at both X and Y axes when using F = ma. But, you know that acceleration is zero on the Y axis (sitting on ground), so you can just examine the acceleration on the X axis. Calculating force from the X axis acceleration will of course only yield F (sum of the forces) on the X axis. There could be a million forces acting on the block on the X axis but the sum of those forces would be F. In your case there's only two forces on the X axis (friction/applied) summing to get F.
 
Last edited:


neato! so i guess i figured it out! Thanks for the confirmation!
 
supernova1203 said:
neato! so i guess i figured it out! Thanks for the confirmation!

but you haven't found the acceleration :redface:
tiny-tim said:
for questions like this, you must start by finding the acceleration
Kavik said:
… (F=ma will work once you get acceleration, look up kinematic equations if necessary). Once you get that, …
 


i found solved the problem already, my laptop stopped working on me however, and i couldn't post, i also found acceleration :)
 
Back
Top