Finding Kinetic Coefficient of Friction

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a 2 kg block being pulled up a 22° incline with a force of 10N while moving at constant speed. The goal is to find the kinetic coefficient of friction, μ_k.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the forces acting on the block, including gravitational components and frictional forces. There is a focus on the direction of the kinetic frictional force and its relationship to the motion of the block.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights regarding the direction of friction and its role in the problem. There are varying interpretations of the calculations leading to different values for μ_k, with no explicit consensus on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the definitions and assumptions regarding the forces involved, particularly the direction of kinetic friction in relation to the applied force and gravitational pull.

dzimme2
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Homework Statement



A 2 kg. block is pulled up a 22° incline with a force of 10N parallel to the incline. What is μ[itex]_{}k[/itex] if it moves up with constant speed?

Homework Equations



F[itex]_{}N[/itex] = Normal Force
f[itex]_{}k[/itex] = μ[itex]_{}k[/itex] F[itex]_{}N[/itex]



The Attempt at a Solution



Forces perpendicular to plane: y-vector component of gravity, mgcos[itex]\theta[/itex] (negative) , normal force, F[itex]_{}N[/itex] (positive)

Forces parallel to plane: applied force, F (up plane) , kinetic frictional force, f[itex]_{}k[/itex] (up plane), and x-vector component of gravity, mgsin[itex]\theta[/itex] (down plane)

F[itex]_{}net[/itex][itex]_{}y[/itex] = F[itex]_{}N[/itex] - mgcos[itex]\theta[/itex] = 0
F[itex]_{}N[/itex] = mgcos[itex]\theta[/itex]

F[itex]_{}net[/itex][itex]_{}x[/itex] = F - mgsin[itex]\theta[/itex] + f[itex]_{}k[/itex] = 0
f[itex]_{}k[/itex] = mgsin[itex]\theta[/itex] - F

μ[itex]_{}k[/itex]mgcos[itex]\theta[/itex] = mgsin[itex]\theta[/itex] - F
μ[itex]_{}k[/itex] = [ mgsin[itex]\theta[/itex] - F ] / [ mgcos[itex]\theta[/itex] ]
μ[itex]_{}k[/itex] = ...

The given answer is μ[itex]_{}k[/itex] = 0.55 but I can not come up with this. Please help, thanks!
 
Last edited:
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welcome to pf!

hi dzimme2! welcome to pf! :smile:
dzimme2 said:
F[itex]_{}net[/itex][itex]_{}x[/itex] = F - mgsin[itex]\theta[/itex] + f[itex]_{}k[/itex] = 0

(erm :redface: … the whole point of latex brackets is that you put things inside them! :wink:)

no, the friction is downhill, like the gravity, isn't it? :smile:
 


tiny-tim said:
hi dzimme2! welcome to pf! :smile:

Why thank you, I've frequented the site lately as a guest but finally decided to join. My thanks to you all!

(erm :redface: … the whole point of latex brackets is that you put things inside them! :wink:)

I'm not exactly sure as to what you are referring, but if it's regarding the 'Fnet' term, I was attempting to subscript "net" with the subscript "x".

no, the friction is downhill, like the gravity, isn't it? :smile:


I was under the impression that the kinetic frictional force would oppose the block's ability to slide down the plane due to gravity. While the applied force is pushing the box up the plane and gravity is pulling the block down the plane, wouldn't the frictional force be directed up the slope in opposition of the gravitational component?
 
hi dzimme2! :smile:
dzimme2 said:
I was under the impression that the kinetic frictional force would oppose the block's ability to slide down the plane due to gravity. While the applied force is pushing the box up the plane and gravity is pulling the block down the plane, wouldn't the frictional force be directed up the slope in opposition of the gravitational component?

ah, nope :redface:

the direction of kinetic friction is always opposite the actual motion

here, the actual motion is up, so the friction is down :wink:

(the direction of friction in the static case is more complicated, but in the kinetic case it's very simple!)
 
tiny-tim said:
hi dzimme2! :smile:


ah, nope :redface:

the direction of kinetic friction is always opposite the actual motion

here, the actual motion is up, so the friction is down :wink:

(the direction of friction in the static case is more complicated, but in the kinetic case it's very simple!)

Ohh, I see. Could prove to be the error with other problems as well. I'll try it out and see what I get. Thanks again!
 
After changing the sign of f[itex]_{k}[/itex] to restate : F[itex]_{net}[/itex][itex]_{x}[/itex] = F - mgsin[itex]\theta[/itex] - f[itex]_{k}[/itex] = 0;

f[itex]_{k}[/itex] = F - mgsin[itex]\theta[/itex]
μ[itex]_{k}[/itex] F[itex]_{N}[/itex] = F - mgsin[itex]\theta[/itex]
μ[itex]_{k}[/itex] mgcos[itex]\theta[/itex] = F - mgsin[itex]\theta[/itex]
μ[itex]_{k}[/itex] = [itex]\frac{F - mgsin\theta}{mgcos\theta}[/itex]
μ[itex]_{k}[/itex] = [itex]\frac{(10 N) - (2kg)(9.8 m/s^2)sin 22}{ (2kg)(9.8m/s^2)cos 22}[/itex]

μ[itex]_{k}[/itex] = 0.1257

However, the answer key has μ[itex]_{k}[/itex] = 0.55 .

?
 
dzimme2 said:
However, the answer key has μ[itex]_{k}[/itex] = 0.55 .

?

i can't get 0.55 :confused:
 
tiny-tim said:
i can't get 0.55 :confused:

Do you get 0.1257?
 
dzimme2 said:
Do you get 0.1257?

i make it 0.146 :confused:
 

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