Given mass, force, and acceleration solve for the coefficient of friction

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the coefficient of friction for a 5.0-kg block subjected to a force of 40.0 N, resulting in an acceleration of 6.0 m/s². The formula used is u = Ff / (mg), where u represents the coefficient of friction, Ff is the frictional force, m is the mass, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. The initial calculation yielded a coefficient of friction of 1.3, but the accuracy of this value depends on the correct determination of the frictional force, which was not explicitly calculated in the discussion.

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  • Knowledge of frictional force calculations
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michaelstanle
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Homework Statement


A force of 40.0N accelerates a 5.0-kg block at 6.0M/s^2 along a horizontal surface.
a. What is the frictional force?
b. What is the coefficient of friction?

Homework Equations



u= coefficient of friction
m= mass of object
Ff= friction force
g= gravity

u=Ff/mg

The Attempt at a Solution


I used u=Ff/mg and i got 1.3 for the u. but that is when i used the given acceleration of 6.0 m/s^2, not gravity. is that correct?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Did you draw a free body diagram?
You are missing a very important equation.
Did you calculate the friction force?
 

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