Forces and Newton-Identifying Acceleration

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves analyzing the forces acting on a box being pulled by a rope at an angle, specifically focusing on calculating the acceleration of the box using Newton's laws of motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of force equations and the role of different forces, including the normal force and friction. Questions arise regarding the inclusion of components of the applied force in both the x and y directions.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on identifying missing forces and correcting equations. There is an acknowledgment of the need to consider the vertical component of the applied force, leading to a revised approach to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of accurately interpreting the problem statement and ensuring all forces are accounted for in the calculations. There is a recognition of potential errors in copying information from the problem.

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Homework Statement


A man pulls a rope, with a force of 200N, attached to a box, with a mass of 35kg, 30° from the horizontal. The [tex]\mu[/tex]k is 0.3. Find the acceleration of the box.


Homework Equations


[tex]\Sigma[/tex]F = ma
Ffr = [tex]\mu[/tex]FN

The Attempt at a Solution


FBD
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/2181/forceandNewtonaccelerat.jpg

Net Force Equations
[tex]\Sigma[/tex]Fy = ma
FN - FG = ma
FN - mg = ma
FN = mg + ma
Acceleration is 0 because the box is not moving up or down so
FN = mg


[tex]\Sigma[/tex]Fx = ma
Fappcos[tex]\theta[/tex] - Ffr = ma
Fappcos[tex]\theta[/tex] - [tex]\mu[/tex]FN = ma
Fappcos[tex]\theta[/tex] - [tex]\mu[/tex]mg = ma
(Fappcos[tex]\theta[/tex] - [tex]\mu[/tex]mg) / m = a
((200N)(cos30°) - (0.3)(35kg)(9.8m/s²)) / 35kg = a
2.0087m/s² [tex]\approx[/tex] a

I am told this is wrong and that the correct answer is around 2.87m/s².

What did I do wrong so that I did not arrive at the correct answer?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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You are missing a force in the y-dir.
 
It's in there with:

Net Force Equations
[tex]\Sigma[/tex] Fy = ma
FN - FG = ma
FN - mg = ma
FN = mg + ma
Acceleration is 0 because the box is not moving up or down so
FN = mg
 
All your work looks correct to me.
Don't forget to check the question - very easy to copy something incorrectly.
 
Since the Fapp is at a 30 degrees, isn't there a component of it working in the y-dir?
 
Yes I now see that I forgot to include fapp in the y direction. The correct net equation is:

FN = mg -Fappsin[tex]\theta[/tex]

(Fappcos[tex]\theta[/tex] - [tex]\mu[/tex](mg -Fappsin[tex]\theta[/tex]) / m = a
((200N)(cos30°) - (0.3)((35kg)(9.8m/s²)-((200N)(sin30°))) / 35kg = a
2.866m/s² = a

This is correct. Thank you.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for catching that, slmg! I forgot about the pull affecting the normal force!
 

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