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

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of Newton's laws in a friction-related problem involving a child pushing a block of wood across a table. The scenario includes calculating forces such as net force, frictional force, and the applied force, given the mass of the block and its velocity over time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of F=ma to find net force and question the correctness of the free body diagram. There are attempts to calculate acceleration based on given velocity and time, and some participants express confusion about the relationship between frictional force and applied force.

Discussion Status

Several participants are exploring different interpretations of the problem, particularly regarding the calculation of acceleration and its implications for net force. Some guidance has been offered on the necessity of finding acceleration first, and there is acknowledgment of the need to clarify the relationships between the forces involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the block starts from rest and accelerates, which implies the presence of net force. There is mention of a free body diagram that may not accurately represent the forces acting on the block, and some participants are working under the constraints of homework rules that may limit the information they can share.

supernova1203
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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

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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 :)
 

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