Force required to keep a wooden block from sliding on a rough incline

AI Thread Summary
To determine the force required to keep a wooden block from sliding on a rough incline, the forces acting on the block must be analyzed. The gravitational force acting down the incline is m*g*sin(θ), while the frictional force opposing this motion is μ*m*g*cos(θ). The correct formula for the force needed to prevent sliding is F = μ*m*g*cos(θ), which aligns with the textbook answer provided. The discussion also references a related test question indicating that the minimum force required to move a body up an incline is three times that needed to prevent it from sliding down, with the correct angle being 30 degrees. Understanding these relationships is crucial for solving problems involving inclined planes and friction.
nishantve1
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Homework Statement



This thing was a part of an entire question . I solved the other parts but I don't know why I am messing up here .

Force required to keep a wooden block from sliding on a rough incline with coefficient of friction μ

Homework Equations



Force on a block on an inclined plane ,
towards the ground : m*g*sin(θ)
due to friction in opposite direction of the above force is m*g*cos(θ)
where m is the mass of the block , g is the gravitational acceleration and θ is the angle the incline makes with the horizontal.

The Attempt at a Solution




So I pictured something like this
Initially
http://awwapp.com/s/38/18/09.png

Now if I apply a force to stop the block from sliding the FBD should be something like this
http://awwapp.com/s/5a/44/08.png

So the force I have to apply ( the blue one ) should be Force due to gravity - Force due to friction
F = mg(sin(θ) -μcos(θ))
But the answer given is
F = μ*m*g*cos(θ)
How is this possible
Sorry about the drawings
 
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I'd say you were correct. If this is a textbook problem, what textbook is it?
 
@Doc Al It's actually a Test prep book published by a very well known publisher in my country at least . This question was part of the actual test held in 2012 . The question goes like
The minimum force required to move a body up an inclined plane is three times the minimum force required to prevent it from sliding down the plane. If the coefficient of friction between the body and the inclined plane is 1/(2*sqrt(3)) angle of the inclined plane is
a> 60 degrees
b> 45 degrees
c> 30 degrees
d> 15 degrees

The answer in the key is 30 degrees
 
nishantve1 said:
The answer in the key is 30 degrees
I agree with that answer.
 
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