# Friction On 2 Blocks + Angled Pull

## Homework Statement

Hi all, greetings from aus! having mad trouble with this question:

so i've figured out that the friction limit for block B is 11.35N when it is stationary. Putting my co-ords parrallel to the 15 degree incline means the force due to gravity in the x direction is 5.0728N.. so effectively ill need to make up the 6.2772N so the block B will slide down block A.

Now i've toyed with the idea of makign F Large enough to lift the whole body to an angle where the force due to gravity will overcome friction. However there are no dimensions on the block so i can't make an equation for work needed. SO block A will remain horizontal and slide across. I just don't understand how force F will be able to make block B fall down if it doesn't angle up? It;s probably got something to do with Fy but i just can't see it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Have been racking my brain for like 5 hrs obver this.

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TSny
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Hello, sandman203. Welcome to PF!

If F causes the system to accelerate, then the normal force between A and B will be reduced and so the friction force between A and B will be reduced. If the acceleration is enough, B will begin to slip.

The best approach to these types of problems is the standard recipe of drawing free-body diagrams and applying Newton's laws.

See what you can deduce from Newton's 2nd law applied to a free-body diagram of block B when block B is just on the verge of slipping.

verty
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Hint: what is happening at the interface between B and A? What is making B accelerate?

haruspex
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I just don't understand how force F will be able to make block B fall down if it doesn't angle up? It;s probably got something to do with Fy but i just can't see it.
More Fx than Fy. Imagine pulling the wedge left with a sharp yank. What do you think would happen to the block?

i imagine the block would slide right off if the acceleration is high enough.. I just don;t know how to set that up mathematically. Do i want to break down F in terms of the co-ord system i used on block B, so fx is parrallel to the 15 degree incline? then i will will a force going up towards block B (reducing the normal force?). I dont see how fx acts on block B, does it do anything at all? obviously up until it surpasses the friction limit. am i on the right track here?

TSny
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How many forces act on block B? Can you describe them?

We have gravity going straight down. This is broken into 2 forces Fxb (Parrallel to the incline) and Fxy (perpandicular) to the incline + the normal force Nab which is equal to Fxy. We also have a force of friction opposite to Fxb which is helping the block stay stationary atm. When F is applied then i get confused. Does all components of F get applied to block B? Im thinking maybe only an amount until it reaches the friction limit. If block A is pulled to the left will there be an opposite reaction from block B? causing acceleration in the opposite direction??

TSny
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We have gravity going straight down. This is broken into 2 forces Fxb (Parrallel to the incline) and Fxy (perpandicular) to the incline + the normal force Nab which is equal to Fxy. We also have a force of friction opposite to Fxb which is helping the block stay stationary atm. When F is applied then i get confused. Does all components of F get applied to block B? Im thinking maybe only an amount until it reaches the friction limit. If block A is pulled to the left will there be an opposite reaction from block B? causing acceleration in the opposite direction??
The force F is applied to block A. It does not act on block B. So, you have 3 forces acting on B:

(1) Force of gravity
(2) Normal force (from the surface of A and perpendicular to the surface)
(3) Friction force (from the surface of A and parallel to the surface)

Draw a diagram showing just block B and these 3 forces acting on B.

Next, you want to introduce a coordinate system for block B. It is generally a good idea to choose one of your axes of your coordinate system to be in the direction of the acceleration of the block. As long as B is not yet slipping on A, think about the direction of the acceleration of B. Choose your x-axis in that direction and then the y-axis will be perpendicular to that.

Finally, set up Newton's 2nd law for block B for the x and y components of motion:

$\sum$Fx = mBax
$\sum$Fy = mBay

Then see what you can deduce from these equations.

yeah i have drawn the free body diagram many times.. i dont know what the hell im missing here dude. I not seeing how force F reduces the normal force and hence friction ?

haruspex
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yeah i have drawn the free body diagram many times.. i dont know what the hell im missing here dude. I not seeing how force F reduces the normal force and hence friction ?
While everything is stationary, the block experiences a normal force, a frictional force acting up the plane, and gravity. These balance both horizontally and vertically. If the wedge now accelerates to the left and the block stays with it, there must be a net horizontal force on the block to provide that acceleration. This changes the equations. Pls post those equations.

This is where im at:
Block B

X dimension is parrallel to incline, y dimension is perpandicular

When stationary

ƩFy = mbay = 2 × - 9.8 + Nab = 0

ƩFx = mbax = 19.6 sin 15 - Ff = 0

Nab = 2 × 9.8

Limiting friction force for this surface = 0.6 × Nab = 11.76N

Block A When stationary

* Do i put co-ords parrallel to the ground here? so the 2 blocks have different co - ords? or stick with the same co - ords i used for block B?

ƩFy = mab × ay = 7 × - 9.8 + Na = 0 so Na = 68.6

Limiting friction for for this surface = 0.6 × Na = 41.16N

ƩFx = mab × ax = 0

When F is applied

ƩFy = mab × ax = - F cos30 + Ff

So we can see that in order to make AB move we need ax = (41.16 - F cos30)/7

I dont know where to go from here.

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haruspex
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You want to know the max F such that B moves with A. So suppose B does move with A, but the friction between them is at maximum. If the acceleration is a, what are the force equations for B (I suggest using horizontal and vertical resolution)? What are the equations for the combined system? You should have four equations and four unknowns: normal force between A and B, acceleration, frictional force from the ground, and F.

Cool dude, what about friction force between AB isnt that another unknown?? as block B accelerates with block A it will have x/y components, this will adjust the normal and hence friction force right?

Also, when F is applied does it only take into account block B or do the equations just need mass of A... i guess if we apply enough to override friction then B's mass wont matter, is this correct?

Hey guys, thanks for the help i have managed to come up with an answer! so here we go.

First of all here are my fbd's of block A and block B

Now for the math:
When stationary - Block A

ƩFx = mAaA = mA × 0 = 0

ƩFy = mAaA = 0 = -49N + NA

∴ NA = 49N

When Stationary - Block B

ƩFx = mB × g × sin15 - Ffab = 0

ƩFy = - mB × g × cos15 + NAB = 0

∴ NAB = mB × g × cos15

When F is applied - Block A

ƩFx = mA × -ax = F cos30 + Ffa

ƩFy = mA × ay = 0 = Na - 49 + F sin30

∴ Na = 49 - F sin 30

∴ Static Friction Limit → FfA = 0.6 × (49 - F sin30)
When F is applied - Block B

ƩFx = -2ax cos15 + (mB × g × sin15) ± FfAB

ƩFy = 0 = NAB - (mb × g × cos15) - 2ax sin15

∴ NAB = (mb × g × cos15) - 2ax sin15

∴ Static friction limit → FfAB = 0.6 × 2×g×cos15 + 2axsin15

SO we want to find the acceleration in which B needs to go in order to make equilibrium (anymore N and block B will slide down)

∴ Fx = 0 = -2axcos15 + (2×g×sin15) - 0.6 × 2×g×cos15 + 2axsin15

Solving for ax = - 4.445m/s2

So Now we find out how this acceleration works on Block A.

We will need ƩFx = -4.445 x 5 = -22.225N in the x direction from force F to act on Block A and put block B in equilibrium.

Fx = -22.225N - FfA

Fx = -22.225N - (0.6×49 - Fsin30)

Now Fx = Fcos30 = -22.225 - 0.6(×49 - Fsin30)

Solving for F we get 44.5N!!!!!

So this will keep block B on block A so i guess the answer is F > 44.5N ?

verty
Homework Helper
You have some mistakes and I think you are still not quite knowing what to do.

Start again but from this point of view: A and B are stuck together but B is about to slip. F is pulling the mass of both. So the result of whatever forces are acting on B is a horizontal force giving to B exactly the acceleration that F gives to A+B. With this in mind, draw your diagram being very careful with sin and cos and where to put right angles, these were some of the mistakes made before.

If you do all that, you should be in a good position to solve it.

haruspex
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Now for the math:
When stationary - Block A

ƩFy = mAaA = 0 = -49N + NA
When F is applied - Block A

ƩFx = mA × -ax = F cos30 + Ffa
Are you treating Ffa as negative? (You drew the arrow oppositely to F's)
ƩFy = mA × ay = 0 = Na - 49 + F sin30
Again, what about NAB and FfAB? As I suggested, it's simpler to treat A and B combined instead of A in isolation.
When F is applied - Block B

ƩFx = -2ax cos15 + (mB × g × sin15) ± FfAB
In your diagram you have x perpendicular to the slope and y parallel to it.
Is g acting in the direction of a or against it? Shouldn't you write
ƩFx = 2ax cos15 = -(mB × g × sin15) + (friction term)
(Which way is friction acting here? )
So this will keep block B on block A so i guess the answer is F > 44.5N ?
I get a little over 60N.

TSny
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Gold Member
If you consider the forces on B alone, you will be able to determine the numerical value of the acceleration of the system that will put B on the verge of slipping.

See if you can complete the free body diagram of block B that I have attached here. I leave it to you to identify the forces (blue vectors) and the appropriate angles.

As pointed out before, it will be best to choose the x-axis horizontally and the y-axis vertically.

Since we are assuming that B is on the verge of slipping there is a relationship between the friction force acting on B and the normal force acting on B.

What can you deduce from $\sum$Fy = may ?

Then, what can you get from $\sum$Fx = max ?

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ok one question.. when calculating force of friction for block A do i need to take into account the friction created from accelerating block B to the left?

TSny
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Gold Member
You can find the friction force that the floor exerts on A by considering A and B together as one object, drawing a free body diagram for that object, and applying the 2nd law.

[EDIT: If you are referring to the normal force that A exerts on B, then you will be able to get that from applying $\sum$Fy = may to the diagram for B alone( if you choose the y-axis vertical).]

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I give up guys, i've been working at this for the last 2 days (approx 16 hours) and i just can't for the life of me figure this one out? Should i drop out of my university course if i cant solve this? i feel like im going einstein-style insane over this....

Ok just say i have

ƩFx = 2axcos15 = Ffb + 2×9.8sin15

Am i right in subbing in 0.6 x NAB into Ffb? I guess im having trouble on where to use 0.6 x NAB in the equations

Ok guys, last attempt at answering this Q before i /wrists

SO here are the 4 equations after applying F

Block AB:
ƩFyAB = F sin 30 + NAB - mAB×g

∴ NAB= mAB×g - F sin30

ƩFxAB = - Fcos30 +FfA = - mAB×ax

Block B:

ƩFxB = 2×-axcos15 = 2×g×sin15 - Ffb

ƩFyb = 0 = NB - 2×axsin15 - mb×g

∴ NB = 2×axsin15 + mb×g×cos15 (Am i right in saying the acceleration of ax causes downward force on block B hence increasing the size of the normal?

→ FfB = 0.6 (2axsin15 + 2×g×cos15)

from here i get ax = -3.877478

so

FxAB = Fcos30 + FfAB = mAB × -ax → (1)

Now FfA = 0.6 (7×g - F sin30) → (2)

after subbing 2 into 1 i get F = 58.577N not quite 60N but its close i guess! what u guys think?

haruspex
Homework Helper
Gold Member
Block AB:
ƩFyAB = F sin 30 + NAB - mAB×g

∴ NAB= mAB×g - F sin30

ƩFxAB = - Fcos30 +FfA = - mAB×ax

Block B:

ƩFxB = 2×-axcos15 = 2×g×sin15 - Ffb
All looks good to here, assuming you are taking ax as positive to the left.
ƩFyb = 0 = NB - 2×axsin15 - mb×g
I feel you are confusing yourself by mixing forces and accelerations on the same side of the equation. Since the acceleration is to the left, its coefficient normal to the slope is downwards, so it is aided by g and opposed by the normal.
Am i right in saying the acceleration of ax causes downward force on block B hence increasing the size of the normal?
No, it's the other way around. The acceleration threatens to leave the block behind, so must be reducing the normal force.
from here i get ax = -3.877478
If ax is positive left, you should get a positive value.

Im having trouble seeing how the acceleration to the left cause less normal force can someone please explain this to me, i really feel like im going insane over this. please help!