Friction Formulas: Fn, Ff & Mu w/ D, T, A, Vi & Ramp Angle

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the formulas for the normal force (Fn), friction force (Ff), and the coefficient of friction (mu) for an object sliding down an inclined ramp. Participants are working with known variables such as distance (D), time (T), acceleration (A), initial velocity (Vi), and the angle of the ramp.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to derive formulas for Fn, Ff, and mu based on the given variables. There is a discussion about the definitions of the variables and the relationships between forces acting on the object. Some participants express uncertainty about their previous attempts and seek clarification on the correct approach.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the problem with various attempts to derive the necessary formulas. Some participants have provided equations but acknowledge that their results may not be correct. Guidance has been offered regarding the components of weight acting on the inclined plane, and there is a suggestion to avoid splitting forces into x and y components to reduce complexity.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can share or the methods they can use. There is a noted concern that the coefficient of friction (mu) should be less than one, indicating a need for careful consideration of the physical principles involved.

Lobber
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Homework Statement


What is the formula for: Fn, Ff, and mu when you have a object sliding down a ramp.
Variable know are D, T, A, Vi, and the angle of the ramp above the horrizon.


The Attempt at a Solution


I've tried a few that ended up being quite long and all wrong...
 
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Lobber said:

Homework Statement


What is the formula for: Fn, Ff, and mu when you have a object sliding down a ramp.
Variable know are D, T, A, Vi, and the angle of the ramp above the horrizon.

What are D, T, A? I take it Fn is the normal force, Ff is the friction force and Vi is the initial velocity?

Lobber said:

The Attempt at a Solution


I've tried a few that ended up being quite long and all wrong...

Please could you show some of your working?

You should obtain expressions involving trig. functions and the properties of your mass.
 
D=1.83M
T=1.06S
A=3.257m/s/s
angle/theta is 54 degrees
Vi=0
M=0.5kg
Friction force?
Normal force?
Mu?

Formula#1 (didn't work...)
Ff:
(cos theta A)*M=Max=Fx
Fx=Ffx-Fgx
Fgx=(sin theta)Mg.
Fn:
Ma(sin theta) = May
May=Fy=Fny-Fgy
Fgy=M*(cos theta)g

Ff/Fn=mu

Formula2

Fx=Max
ax=a(cos theta)
Fy=May
ay=a(sin theta)
Fg=Mg
Fx=Max=Fgx-Ffx
Fgx=Mg(sin theta)
Fy=May=Fgy-Fny
Fgy=Mg(cos theta)
Ff/Fn=mu.

My answers with these two formulas were ff=4.93 Fn=4.20 mu=1.20

for formula 2 they were Ff=3 Fn=1.56 mu=1.92
 
I think I might have fixed my problem as ay=Fgy=0 so that changes things. Also it's an inclined plane question.
 
Last edited:
Your value of mu should always be less than one.

I think you need to find the difference between the actual force at the bottom and the theoretical force at the bottom.

Please could you post equations that would give the component of weight normal to the surface and the component of wieght parallel to the surface and we will go from there.

Edit: don't split it up into x and y parts, it makes things more messy.
 
Last edited:

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