Finding force of friction on mass

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the force of friction acting on a 4.0 kg mass that is being accelerated by a horizontal force of 5.0 N. The mass accelerates at a rate of 0.50 m/s², and the original poster is seeking assistance in calculating the friction force, noting a lack of information regarding the coefficient of friction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply Newton's second law (F=ma) to find the net force acting on the mass and questions whether to subtract the calculated force from the applied force to find the friction force. Some participants express uncertainty about the approach due to missing information on the coefficient of friction.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with the original poster reflecting on their thought process and expressing a desire to understand the concepts better. There is an acknowledgment of the forum's supportive environment, and the original poster indicates they may seek further assistance with additional problems.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions struggling with physics concepts due to a lack of prior exposure in high school, indicating a need for foundational understanding as they navigate their first-year college physics course.

dannyboy8920
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Hey, I am a student in first year of college, going through some of my exam review questions the teacher gave us to polish up on before the exam. would appreciate the help, its probably a really easy question; but I am just getting into physics...went through a bunch of differerent things.

Homework Statement


A horizontal force of 5.0N accelerates a 4.0kg mass, from rest, at a rate of 0.50m/s^2 in the positive direction. what friction force acts on the mass.

Homework Equations


I know that F(friction)=uFN, =u(ma)
where I am getting stuck is that i don't have the coefficient to find the FF

The Attempt at a Solution


I further looked, and not sure if this the right way to do it.
Im given the F of 5.0N ...do i just do F=ma, so =(4.0kg)(.50m/s^2) =2N...

Do i just find the difference in them?; so 5.0N-2.0N =3N.
 
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dannyboy8920 said:
Hey, I am a student in first year of college, going through some of my exam review questions the teacher gave us to polish up on before the exam. would appreciate the help, its probably a really easy question; but I am just getting into physics...went through a bunch of differerent things.

Homework Statement


A horizontal force of 5.0N accelerates a 4.0kg mass, from rest, at a rate of 0.50m/s^2 in the positive direction. what friction force acts on the mass.


Homework Equations


I know that F(friction)=uFN, =u(ma)
where I am getting stuck is that i don't have the coefficient to find the FF


The Attempt at a Solution


I further looked, and not sure if this the right way to do it.
Im given the F of 5.0N ...do i just do F=ma, so =(4.0kg)(.50m/s^2) =2N...

Do i just find the difference in them?; so 5.0N-2.0N =3N.
yes!
 
PhanthomJay said:
yes!
alllrighty...were in business..lol..
that came to me while i was writing up the problem...figured id ask if it worked...
and by the way, this is a great forum here...wish i had of known this earlier...seem to be struggling in physics, didnt take it in High school and now they gave us a first year physics class in college...only need to take one of them; but hope to get through it, cause its taking my marks down from the courses I am majoring in. I like physics; really want to learn all the concepts but seems that there getting thrown at me in bunches...
thanks for the help; i may be posting some other problems...just trying to get a better grasp on things.
 
Welcome to PF, and good luck in your studies!
 

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