Finding max acceleration with force at angle incl friction

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the optimal angle at which a force should be applied to a 6kg block on a horizontal surface to achieve maximum acceleration, considering the effects of kinetic friction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to take the derivative of acceleration with respect to the angle and set it to zero to find the optimal angle. There are questions about the logic behind the calculations and the resulting values for the angle.

Discussion Status

Some participants are working through the calculations and checking their values, while others are confirming the soundness of the logic used in the approach. There is an acknowledgment of confusion regarding the relationship between the angle and the coefficient of friction.

Contextual Notes

Participants note a potential misunderstanding regarding the manipulation of the coefficient of kinetic friction and its implications for the angle of application. There is also mention of varying levels of familiarity with the topic among participants.

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Homework Statement


Hey. I was doing some exam practice questions, but I hit a snag with this one and can't quite work out how to proceed.

A 6kg block at rest is pulled along a horizontal surface by force F→ at angle θ. Given that the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.15, find the optimal angle at which to apply the force to achieve maximum acceleration.

Homework Equations


F = ma
fk = μkN
F→2 = F2sin2θ + F2cos2θ

The Attempt at a Solution


N = mg - Fsinθ
μk = 0.15/58.86
fk = (2.55×10-3)(mg-Fsinθ)
Fnetx = Fcosθ - fk
ax = (Fcosθ - fk)/m

From here I guess I need to form a differential equation and solve for maximum but this leads to θ being a ridiculous angle. Any advice? (P.S, sorry if this is in the wrong section, still trying to gauge the levels of physics being done in each)
 
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You just have to take the derivative of ##a_x## with respect to ##\theta## and set it to 0 and solve the equation involving ##\theta##, that is to solve ##\frac{da_x}{d\theta}=0##.
 
Still getting a weird value for θ while solving for the maximum. Will work through and check my values, but can we confirm that the logic is sound?
 
Do you get ##tan(\theta)=\mu_k## at the end? Why is this weird, since the friction coeeficient is small we expect theta to be small also (if friction coefficient was zero it would be theta=0 as can be understood easily).

There is something i don't understand why you divide 0.15 / 58.86 for ##\mu_k##?
 
My bad. Playing catch up at the moment and only started looking at this concept today. Another look at the derivative and I can see the manipulation. Thanks for the help
 

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