Find the coefficient of friction

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The coefficient of friction between the bed of a pick-up truck and a box weighing 3.0 kN was calculated based on the box sliding 1.0 m during the truck's acceleration from rest to 40 km/h over a distance of 40 m. The correct acceleration was determined to be 1.5 m/s², leading to a frictional force calculation using the formula Fk = μk * N. The final coefficient of friction was established as 0.15, correcting an earlier miscalculation of 0.975.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with basic kinematics equations
  • Knowledge of frictional force calculations
  • Ability to convert units (e.g., kN to N, km/h to m/s)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of Newton's second law (F = ma)
  • Learn about the different types of friction and their coefficients
  • Explore kinematic equations in detail, particularly v² = v0² + 2a(x - x0)
  • Investigate real-world applications of friction in vehicle dynamics
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics or engineering courses, educators teaching mechanics, and professionals involved in vehicle design or safety analysis will benefit from this discussion.

huybinhs
Messages
229
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A box weighing 3.0 kN is placed in the bed of a pick-up truck. The pick-up accelerates uniformly from rest to 40 km/h in a distance of 40 m. In that time the box slides 1.0 m back toward the end of the bed. Find the coefficient of friction between the bed and the box.

Homework Equations



v^2 = v0^2 + 2a (x-x0)

F = ma

w = mg

Fk = micro k * N

The Attempt at a Solution



Given:
v0 = 0 km/h
v = 40 km/h
x-xo = Delta x = 40 m = 0.04 km
weight = 3 kN.

First, find a:

v^2 = v0^2 + 2 a (x-x0)
40^2 = 0 + 2 a * 0.04
=> a = 2*10^4 km/s^2.

My imagine that we have 3 forces in Free Body Diagrams: Friction Forces, Newton's law and weight of the box.

We have:

m*g = 3 kN => m = 3000/9.8 = 306.1 grams = 0.306 kg.

N = ma = 0.306 * (2*10^4) = 6120 kN

but the box slides 1.0 m back toward the end of the bed, so

(0.039km * 6120) / 0.04 = 5967 kN

Therefore:

coefficient of friction between the bed and the box is 5967 N / 6120 N = 0.975 = final answer => INCORRECT

Please help! Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
My answer is NOT correct. Please help! Anyone?
 
huybinhs said:

Homework Statement



A box weighing 3.0 kN is placed in the bed of a pick-up truck. The pick-up accelerates uniformly from rest to 40 km/h in a distance of 40 m. In that time the box slides 1.0 m back toward the end of the bed. Find the coefficient of friction between the bed and the box.

Homework Equations



v^2 = v0^2 + 2a (x-x0)

F = ma

w = mg

Fk = micro k * N

The Attempt at a Solution



Given:
v0 = 0 km/h
v = 40 km/h
x-xo = Delta x = 40 m = 0.04 km
weight = 3 kN.

First, find a:

v^2 = v0^2 + 2 a (x-x0)
40^2 = 0 + 2 a * 0.04
=> a = 2*10^4 km/s^2.

My imagine that we have 3 forces in Free Body Diagrams: Friction Forces, Newton's law and weight of the box.

We have:

m*g = 3 kN => m = 3000/9.8 = 306.1 grams = 0.306 kg.

N = ma = 0.306 * (2*10^4) = 6120 kN

but the box slides 1.0 m back toward the end of the bed, so

(0.039km * 6120) / 0.04 = 5967 kN

Therefore:

coefficient of friction between the bed and the box is 5967 N / 6120 N = 0.975 = final answer => INCORRECT

Please help! Thanks!

Im no expert, i worked it out and this is what i got: You deduced the first part right, so
a = 1.5m/s2, then the weight of the box = 3000N, so mg = 3000N, so the force of friction = uk(3000N). If you use Newtons third law the foward force = the reaction force, so it is constant motion. So, the force of friction = Fnet, uk(3000N)=ma, a = the above acceleration and m is obtained from the weight equation Fg=mg, m = 306Kg, plug it into above equation and u shud get uk = 0.15.

Hope this helps:)
 
E=mc^84 said:
Im no expert, i worked it out and this is what i got: You deduced the first part right, so
a = 1.5m/s2, then the weight of the box = 3000N, so mg = 3000N, so the force of friction = uk(3000N). If you use Newtons third law the foward force = the reaction force, so it is constant motion. So, the force of friction = Fnet, uk(3000N)=ma, a = the above acceleration and m is obtained from the weight equation Fg=mg, m = 306Kg, plug it into above equation and u shud get uk = 0.15.

Hope this helps:)

How about "In that time the box slides 1.0 m back toward the end of the bed" ?
 
huybinhs said:
How about "In that time the box slides 1.0 m back toward the end of the bed" ?
Its neglected since the same acceleration is needed to move the box 1.0m.
 
E=mc^84 said:
Its neglected since the same acceleration is needed to move the box 1.0m.

You mean the final answer is 0.15 ?
 
huybinhs said:
You mean the final answer is 0.15 ?

Yup, looks right:)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Replies
18
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
48
Views
8K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
22K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K