Calculate Acceleration of Crate with Friction & Forces

  • Thread starter Thread starter MikalP
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Forces Friction
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the acceleration of a 200-kg crate pushed with a force of 700 N, considering a coefficient of friction of 0.20. The user correctly applies the equations for frictional force (Ffr = u x Fn) and net force (Fnet = Fapplied - Ffr) to determine the crate's acceleration. The final calculated acceleration is 5.46 m/s². Additionally, the user explores a related problem involving an elevator's maximum acceleration based on tensile strength and mass, arriving at an acceleration of 1.54 m/s².

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Second Law of Motion
  • Knowledge of frictional force calculations
  • Familiarity with mass and weight concepts
  • Ability to manipulate equations involving forces
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of net force and its application in various scenarios
  • Learn about different types of friction and their coefficients
  • Explore advanced problems involving multiple forces and accelerations
  • Investigate the principles of tensile strength in engineering applications
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, engineering students, and anyone interested in understanding dynamics and force calculations in real-world applications.

MikalP
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A 200-kg crate is pushes horizontally with a force of 700 N. If the coefficient of friction is 0.20, calculate the acceleration of the crate.

Homework Equations



Well, at the moment I'm just wondering if I used the right equations, and if not then a heads up on where I went wrong :o

Would I start with Ffr = u x Fn

and then proceed to a = Fnet / m?

The Attempt at a Solution



Fn = 200kg x 9.8 = 1960

Ffr = u x Fn, so 1960 x .20 = 392.

Ffr = 392.

a = Fnet / m,

Fnet = Fapplied + Ffr = 700N + 392 = 1092
[Removed Fg and Fn since they cross out as the block is not falling or rising]

Fnet / m = 1092 / 200 = 5.46 m/s


= = = =

I have another question that I'm currently stuck on but have yet to totally give it a try, so I will post the question and update it accordingly.

Homework Statement



Safety engineers estimate that an elevator can hold 20 persons of 75-kg average mass. The eleveator itself has a mass of 500 kg. Tensile strength tests show that the cable supporting the elevator can tolerate a maximum force of 2.96 x 10^4 N. What is the greatest acceleration the elevator's motor can produce without breaking the cable.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
Physics news on Phys.org
Fnet = Fapplied + Ffr = 700N + 392 = 1092
Fapplied and Ffr act in the opposite direction. Therefore Fnet = Fapplied - Ffr
 
Ahh, I always through it was Fapplied = Fnet - Ffr with Fnet = Fapplied + Ffr.. So it would be 700 - 392 = 308, 308 / 200 = 1.54 m/s. Alright, thanks for the help :) I'll probably come back tomorrow for the next question.
 

Similar threads

Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
14K
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K