Finding minimum force to pull the napkin out from under the tea cup

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the minimum force required to pull a napkin from under a tea cup, given specific masses and friction coefficients. The napkin has a mass of 71.6 g, while the tea cup weighs 104.6 g. The kinetic friction coefficient between the napkin and the table is µk=0.484, and the static friction coefficient between the tea cup and the napkin is µs=0.705. Participants confirm the validity of the free body diagram (FBD) and discuss the relationship between the accelerations of the cup and napkin.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Knowledge of friction coefficients (static and kinetic)
  • Ability to create and interpret free body diagrams (FBD)
  • Basic algebra for solving equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the force of static friction using the formula F_friction = µs * N, where N is the normal force.
  • Learn about the relationship between acceleration and force in dynamic systems.
  • Study the effects of different friction coefficients on motion.
  • Explore advanced topics in mechanics, such as tension and forces in multi-body systems.
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics courses, particularly those studying mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of friction and motion in practical scenarios.

Jpyhsics
Messages
84
Reaction score
2

Homework Statement


There is a table, and a napkin on it. The napkin has a mass mn=71.6 g. On the napkin, there is a tea cup with mass mc=104.6 g. What is the minimum force required for someone to pull the napkin out from under the tea cup? Assume that between the table and the napkin the friction is µk= 0.484, while the coefficient of static friction between the tea cup and the napkin is µs=0.705. Express your answer in Newtons.

Homework Equations


F=ma

The Attempt at a Solution


ΣFxNapkin=F-frC-frT (where C is cup and T is table)
ΣFxCup=frN (where N is napkin)

I have also included a photo of my FBD
How can I proceed with this question? Do I have a correct FBD?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_109F6D002955-1.jpeg
    IMG_109F6D002955-1.jpeg
    22.1 KB · Views: 480
Physics news on Phys.org
Jpyhsics said:
How can I proceed with this question? Do I have a correct FBD?
Your FBD looks fine.
What about the cup's acceleration?
 
haruspex said:
Your FBD looks fine.
What about the cup's acceleration?
Would the acceleration of the cup be equal to the acceleration of the napkin?
 
Jpyhsics said:
Would the acceleration of the cup be equal to the acceleration of the napkin?
Yes, or only very slightly less. So what equation can you write?
 
so would the cup acceleration be:
ackg ?
Which subsequently would be the acceleration of the napkin?

So would my solution in the picture make sense?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_E3E262A0D1DA-1.jpeg
    IMG_E3E262A0D1DA-1.jpeg
    28 KB · Views: 464
Jpyhsics said:
so would the cup acceleration be:
ackg ?
μk is the kinetic friction between the napkin and the table.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Jpyhsics
Okay thanks!
 
Jpyhsics said:
Okay thanks!
Not sure how to interpret that response. I am telling you that your equation in post #5 makes no sense... and wondering if it was a typo.

Edit: I have marked the thread unsolved.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
20K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
10K
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
10K