Coefficient of friction (static and kinetic)

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the coefficients of static and kinetic friction for a scenario involving a 20 kg mass and a 0.7 kg innertube being pulled across sand. The coefficient of static friction is determined using the force required to initiate movement (65 N) and the total mass (20.7 kg), while the coefficient of kinetic friction is calculated using the force required to maintain constant velocity (60 N). The relationship between the coefficient of friction and normal force is emphasized, with the understanding that static friction must be overcome to initiate movement, and kinetic friction acts when the object is in motion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Basic knowledge of friction concepts
  • Ability to perform calculations involving force and mass
  • Familiarity with the concept of normal force
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the coefficient of static friction using the formula: μs = F_static / N
  • Calculate the coefficient of kinetic friction using the formula: μk = F_kinetic / N
  • Explore the relationship between normal force and friction in different materials
  • Study real-world applications of friction in physics problems
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of friction and motion.

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You pull your 20 kg little brother horizontally across a beack on a .7 kg innertube at 65 N to get the tube moving. What is the coefficient of static friction between the sand and the tube? You keep pulling at 60 N with the innertube at a constant velocity. What is the coefficient of kinetic friction?

I'm totally stuck. Please please please help me!
 
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What is the relationship of the coefficient of friction and normal force?

Objects with mass have an associated weight in a gravitational field.
 
"You pull your 20 kg little brother horizontally across a beack on a .7 kg innertube at 65 N to get the tube moving. What is the coefficient of static friction between the sand and the tube? You keep pulling at 60 N with the innertube at a constant velocity. What is the coefficient of kinetic friction?

I'm totally stuck. Please please please help me! "

OK, first step is to go back to the definition: The static friction is the force that must be applied before the object will move. You have the force in the problem already, and you have the mass that you are trying to move (20.7 kg). Solving for the coefficient of static friction a straightforward plugging in the numbers.

Now for the second piece, you know the force necessary to keep the tube moving at constant velocity (60N). The key is constant velocity, this means the force to pull is equal to the force of friction (no acceleration). Again, plug in your numbers from the problem and you should get your result.
 

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