Finding Minimum Mass for Slope Block System

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a block on a slope connected to a hanging mass via a pulley. The problem focuses on determining the minimum mass required for the block on the slope to remain stationary, considering the effects of friction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply equilibrium equations to find the minimum mass, but expresses confusion over their calculations and the correctness of their approach.
  • Some participants question the interpretation of friction in static scenarios, suggesting that the friction force should be treated as an inequality rather than an equality.
  • Others raise concerns about the direction of forces involved, particularly regarding the friction force's role in the context of potential movement.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on the original poster's reasoning and calculations. Some guidance has been offered regarding the treatment of friction and the interpretation of forces, but no consensus has been reached on the specific errors in the original approach.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of potential arithmetic errors in the calculations, and participants are exploring the implications of the friction force's direction in relation to the system's movement.

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A block of mass M resting on a 19.1° slope is shown. The block has coefficients of friction μs=0.788 and μk=0.482 with the surface. It is connected via a massless string over a massless, frictionless pulley to a hanging block of mass 1.86 kg. What is the minimum mass M1 that will stick and not slip?

http://capa.physics.mcmaster.ca/figures/kn/Graph08/kn-pic0836.png

In terms of mass 1, following eqn can be written:

m1g sin 19.1 - T - Ff = 0

which can be rewritten as:

m1g sin 19.1 - T - m1g cos 19.1 (friction coefficient) = 0
right? since the object is at rest.
then i found T by equating it to m2g (T = m2g...see the diagram as to why i have donet this)

Hence m1g sin 19.1 - m2g - m1g cos 19.1 (0.788) = 0
and then solved for m1...but I am not getting the right answer
I don't understand why my approach is wrong...where did i go wrong here?
 
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when an object is at rest, the equation representing the coefficients of friction isn't an equality, but an inequality. [tex]f= \mu R[/tex] only when the system is in limiting equilibrium or moving. I appreciate that's what you're trying to find here, but it's an important point to bear in mind.

And after a quick glance at your approach, it looks fine to me. I think it's probably arithmetic error... you are using the appropriate coefficient of friction, yes?
 
Last edited:
By "minimum mass M1 that will stick and not slip" isn't it meant "slip" as in move upwards or to the right? Because shouldn't then the sign of the friction force change, and be against the direction of the probable movement, that is opposite the direction of the tension force?
 
actually, yes, it should. Sorry I never noticed that, myh bad I was probably off it or something. Thank you for picking that up
 

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