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TrpnBils
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Homework Statement
In the design of a supermarket, there are to be several ramps connecting different parts of the store. Customers will have to push grocery carts up the ramps and it can't be too difficult. An engineer has done a survey and found that no one complains if the force required is no more than 50N. Will a slope of θ=5° be too steep, assuming the cart has a mass of 30kg? Assume μk=0.10
Homework Equations
Ff = μkFn
The Attempt at a Solution
Yes, it is too steep. Why? I have no idea...
Below is my diagram...forgive the fact that Fp is not parallel to the ramp's surface. It's supposed to be, but it's the best I can do in MS Paint right now.
Ff = μk * FN
= 0.1 * 299N
= 29.88 N
FNet = Ff + Fp = 55.88N (greater than the required 50N limit)
Is that right? I've been sitting here looking at this stupid thing for over an hour and I think I may have just gotten it. The one thing I don't like about these textbooks is that they give the answers to selected problems but no explanation. Just because my answer here is over 50N doesn't necessarily mean that it's right. So is it?