Force of static friction in an FBD

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The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a donkey pulling a cart with static and kinetic friction considerations. The first part of the problem was solved, yielding a force of 2065 N exerted by the donkey on the cart. The second part raised confusion regarding the forces acting on the donkey, particularly the static friction force and its direction. It was clarified that static friction acts forward on the donkey when it pushes back against the ground, enabling movement despite the friction opposing potential slipping. Understanding the role of static versus kinetic friction is crucial, as static friction can act in the direction of movement when preventing slipping.
noleguy33
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Homework Statement



The first part is a donkey is pulling a cart with zero acceleration and I've found the coefficient of kinetic friction in the bearings and the wheel, and the coefficient of static friction of the donkey in the ground. Part two I'm having problems with-

This time, a the donkey is pulling hard (almost starting to slip) on the same cart. The cart and donkey are accelerating at 0.24[m/s2] to the left without slippage.

Find-
a) The force by the donkey on the cart
b)The force of static friction by the surface on the donkey.

Homework Equations



Newton's 2nd law

The Attempt at a Solution



My first step is always to draw a FBD.

This is how I found Fd/c

Ffk - Fd/c = m(-a) /// set up that way because it's moving towards the negative x-axis

I used the same coefficient for from the first part of that problem, I got an answer of 2065[N].

I'm having an issue with the second part.

I drew a FBD for the donkey and came up with for the x-axis-

Ff(static) - Fc/d = m(-a) and I believe that gets me the right answer(or at least a common answer among classmates).

I just don't know why. Given this, the Ff(static) would be larger than Fc/d, so how exactly is the donkey moving? Thanks!

My only thought is that the Ffs is a force of the Earth on the donkey?
 
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noleguy33 said:

Homework Statement



The first part is a donkey is pulling a cart with zero acceleration and I've found the coefficient of kinetic friction in the bearings and the wheel, and the coefficient of static friction of the donkey in the ground. Part two I'm having problems with-

This time, a the donkey is pulling hard (almost starting to slip) on the same cart. The cart and donkey are accelerating at 0.24[m/s2] to the left without slippage.

Find-
a) The force by the donkey on the cart
b)The force of static friction by the surface on the donkey.

Homework Equations



Newton's 2nd law

The Attempt at a Solution



My first step is always to draw a FBD.

first part of that problem, I got an answer of 2065[N].

I'm having an issue with the second part.

I drew a FBD for the donkey and came up with for the x-axis-

Ff(static) - Fc/d = m(-a) and I believe that gets me the right answer(or at least a common answer among classmates).
You have a signage error here.
I just don't know why. Given this, the Ff(static) would be larger than Fc/d, so how exactly is the donkey moving? Thanks!

My only thought is that the Ffs is a force of the Earth on the donkey?
Yes , correct. When drawing FBD's, you always look at the forces acting on the object you have isolated. The donkey pushes back on the ground, so the ground friction pushes forward on the donkey. That is what makes it move.
 
So it would be...

-Ff(static) + Fc/d = m * -a

I just always thought the force of friction goes against movement... is that true only for kinetic(i.e. movement) friction?
 
noleguy33 said:
So it would be...

-Ff(static) + Fc/d = m * -a
yes, correct
I just always thought the force of friction goes against movement... is that true only for kinetic(i.e. movement) friction?
The force of friction acts against the relative movement (or impending movement) between the 2 surfaces. It applies to both static and kinetic friction, they can act either way depending on the relative movement between the 2 surfaces.
For the donkey, as in walking, where static friction applies, you must push back on the ground, so there is a tendency for your foot to slip backwards, so the friction force acts forward, opposite to the direction of the pending slip. In kinetic friction, a crate on a truck bed might start slipping backwards with respect to the truck bed as the truck accelerates forwards, so the kinetic friction acts forward on the crate, causing it to accelerate forward with respect to the ground.
 
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