Find tension force on 2 boxes on a ramp

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the tension force required to lower two boxes down a ramp at a constant speed. The user determined the angle of the ramp to be 27.76 degrees and calculated the friction force on the lower box to be approximately 317.05 N. They found the required pulling force to be around 6782.21 N but questioned the negative sign in the friction force equation used by others. Clarification was sought regarding the setup of the problem, particularly the direction of forces involved. Ultimately, the user resolved their confusion shortly after posting.
Johnson1704
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Homework Statement


You are lowering two boxes, one on top of the other, down the ramp shown in the figure (Figure 1) by pulling on a rope parallel to the surface of the ramp. Both boxes move together at a constant speed of 19.0 cm/s . The coefficient of kinetic friction between the ramp and the lower box is 0.457, and the coefficient of static friction between the two boxes is 0.818.

2. Questions

A What force do you need to exert to accomplish this?
B What is the magnitude of the friction force on the upper box?

3. Relevant equations

X forces: Fpull - Ffr - Fg*sin(theta) = 0
Y forces: Fn - Fg*cos(theta) = 0
Ffr = mu_k * Fn

The Attempt at a Solution

(A)[/B]
I found theta to be 27.76
Ffr = mu_k * [Fg*cos(theta)]
Ffr = 317.0513 N
Fpull = Ffr + Fg*sin(theta) = 6782.214 N

The solutions I've seen on this forum say to use -Fgsin(theta) but i don't see why it would be negative. I've checked my work so many times
 
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please brahs, it's been a solid 2 hours I've been on this problem
 
in what direction is:
the force of the pull on the boxes?
the force of the gravity component acting parallel to the plane?
the direction of motion of the boxes?
the direction of the friction force?Show how you are arriving at these numbers step by step.
 
Johnson1704 said:

Homework Statement


You are lowering two boxes, one on top of the other, down the ramp shown in the figure (Figure 1) by pulling on a rope parallel to the surface of the ramp. Both boxes move together at a constant speed of 19.0 cm/s . The coefficient of kinetic friction between the ramp and the lower box is 0.457, and the coefficient of static friction between the two boxes is 0.818.

2. Questions

A What force do you need to exert to accomplish this?
B What is the magnitude of the friction force on the upper box?

3. Relevant equations

X forces: Fpull - Ffr - Fg*sin(theta) = 0
Y forces: Fn - Fg*cos(theta) = 0
Ffr = mu_k * Fn

The Attempt at a Solution

(A)[/B]
I found theta to be 27.76
Ffr = mu_k * [Fg*cos(theta)]
Ffr = 317.0513 N
Fpull = Ffr + Fg*sin(theta) = 6782.214 N

The solutions I've seen on this forum say to use -Fgsin(theta) but i don't see why it would be negative. I've checked my work so many times
You did not attach the figure, so you need to describe the set up in more detail. "Lowering" suggests you are pulling up the ramp, parallel to it perhaps, to prevent the boxes accelerating down. Or maybe the rope is vertical?
You say you found the slope to be 27.76 degrees - based on what?
 
haruspex said:
You did not attach the figure, so you need to describe the set up in more detail. "Lowering" suggests you are pulling up the ramp, parallel to it perhaps, to prevent the boxes accelerating down. Or maybe the rope is vertical?
You say you found the slope to be 27.76 degrees - based on what?
I figured it out about 30 mins after I posted and deleted the attachment and was going to delete the post but couldn't figure it out. Thanks though!
 
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