Finding Friction Force in a 11 kg Sphere

AI Thread Summary
To find the friction force acting on an 11 kg sphere held against a wall by a string at a 62-degree angle, a free-body diagram is essential. The tension force from the string is denoted as F, and the correct relationship for net torque being zero is identified as F = f, where f is the friction force. However, the solution may vary depending on the angle's reference point and whether the string is tangent to the sphere. Without a clear diagram, multiple interpretations of the problem exist, making it challenging to determine the definitive answer. Understanding these dynamics will aid in solving similar problems in the future.
srhly
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I wasn't for sure where to start with this problem. It is the first of 3 so if I understand how to do this one, I will be able to most likely get the others. I'm pretty sure that I need to make a free-body diagram of the forces in this situation but wasn't for sure where to label the friction force.

A 11 kg sphere is help against a wall by a string being pulled at an angle of 62 degrees. Given: f is the magnitude of the frictional force, and W=Mg.
If the net torque is equal to zero for the center of the sphere, that leads to which of the following?
1.Fsin(angle)=f
2.F+W=f
3.Fcos^2(angle)=f
4. F=f
5.W=f
 
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None of them look right based on what you have stated, but the statement is not clear. What is F? The force (tension) from the string? Is the angle measured relative to horizontal or vertical?
 
Sorry, I tried to post a picture that helped explain but it didn't work. F is the tension force of the string and the 62 degree angle is relative to the horizontal.
 
The correct answer is 4!


f\cdot R= F \cdot R

(total torque relative to the center is zero)

R- radius
f - friction
F- tension in the string
 
clive said:
The correct answer is 4!


f\cdot R= F \cdot R

(total torque relative to the center is zero)

R- radius
f - friction
F- tension in the string

That appears to be the only possible answer among the choices given, but it is not the only possible solution to the problem unless you know that the string is on a tangent of the sphere. So either the diagram that we have not seen shows it is tangent, or the question should be asking for a possible solution, not THE solution.
 
You're right OlderDan, we don't have the picture then we don't know if 1 or 4 is correct (for another ones the chances are slim to none whatever the picture would contain). So under the given circumstances 4 CAN BE an "answer". 1 can be an answer only if the angle is measured with respect to the vertical direction and the string is not tangent to the sphere.

Anyway, we're fooling around with this "without-figure" problem...
 
Last edited:
srhly said:
I wasn't for sure where to start with this problem. It is the first of 3 so if I understand how to do this one, I will be able to most likely get the others. I'm pretty sure that I need to make a free-body diagram of the forces in this situation but wasn't for sure where to label the friction force.

A 11 kg sphere is help against a wall by a string being pulled at an angle of 62 degrees. Given: f is the magnitude of the frictional force, and W=Mg.
If the net torque is equal to zero for the center of the sphere, that leads to which of the following?
1.Fsin(angle)=f
2.F+W=f
3.Fcos^2(angle)=f
4. F=f
5.W=f

Here, you can learn more :
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=72040

marlon
 
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