Coefficient of static friction of crate

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collegegirl
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Homework Statement


A 200N crate rests on a ramp, the angle is 20 degrees with the horizontal. What is the coefficient of static friction between the crate and ramp surfaces


Homework Equations


T=N/cos theta


The Attempt at a Solution


200/cos25 = 219

I don't know where to go from here. The answer is .47 Please show me a direction to take.!

 
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collegegirl said:

Homework Statement


A 200N crate rests on a ramp, the angle is 20 degrees with the horizontal. What is the coefficient of static friction between the crate and ramp surfaces


Homework Equations


T=N/cos theta


The Attempt at a Solution


200/cos25 = 219

I don't know where to go from here. The answer is .47 Please show me a direction to take.!

What forces are acting upon the object? (Hint: There are three forces and one of these forces has components if you choose an efficient coordinate system.)
 
Would the three forces be gravity, the weight of the crate on the ramp, and the ramp pushing up on the crate? If so, the only one I have numbers for is gravity??
 
collegegirl said:
Would the three forces be gravity, the weight of the crate on the ramp, and the ramp pushing up on the crate? If so, the only one I have numbers for is gravity??

Weight and gravity are related by [tex]\vec{w}=m\vec{g}[/tex]. The other two forces are going to be the frictional force (a function of the normal force) and the normal force, itself, a function of weight. So, where are your x- and y-axes going to lie?