How do I find the acceleration of a crate based on weight?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the acceleration of a crate being pushed on a flat surface with friction. The crate has a mass of 32 kg, and it is subjected to a force of 220 N applied at an angle of 21 degrees below the horizontal, with a kinetic friction coefficient of 0.45.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to draw a free body diagram and split the applied force into its components. There is mention of using Newton's second law and relevant equations to find acceleration. Some participants question the appropriateness of the formula being used and explore the implications of the applied force on the normal force.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing various insights and corrections regarding the approach to the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need to reconsider the formula used for calculating acceleration, particularly in relation to the normal force and friction.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted confusion regarding the correct application of formulas and the interpretation of forces acting on the crate. Participants are also addressing the discrepancy between their calculations and the provided answer of 0.865 m/s².

spider3367
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
I'm a little confused on how to complete this problem. Any help would be appreciated

A 32 kg crate is pushed on a floor with a kinetic friction coefficient of .45. If the crate is pushed with a force of 220 N at an angle of 21 degrees below the horizontal, then what is the acceleration of the crate?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Acceleration of a Crate

1. A 32 kg crate is pushed on a floor with a kinetic friction coefficient of .45. If the crate is pushed with a force of 220 N at an angle of 21 degrees below the horizontal, then what is the acceleration of the crate?Relevant equations
a=g(sinθ-μkcosθ)

μk=-a/g3. The Attempt at a Solution
a=9.81(.3584-.4201)
a=-.604 m/s2
 
Last edited:
Draw the free body diagram for the object. Split the force into its x and y components. Then simply use Newton's 2nd law
 


[tex] \vec F_{Lorentz}=0[/tex]
 
Welcome to PF!

Hi spider3367! Welcome to PF! :smile:
spider3367 said:
1. A 32 kg crate is pushed on a floor with a kinetic friction coefficient of .45. If the crate is pushed with a force of 220 N at an angle of 21 degrees below the horizontal, then what is the acceleration of the crate?

Relevant equations
a=g(sinθ-μkcosθ)

erm :redface: … that's completely the wrong formula (it looks like the formula for steady motion on a slope, of angle θ).

This is a flat floor, and the normal force is greater than usual because the applied force (of 220 N) is increasing it.
der.physika said:
[tex] \vec F_{Lorentz}=0[/tex]

uhh? what's FLorentz ? :confused:
 


I forgot to add that I am given the answer: .865m/s2. I just need to show how to arrive at it. I assumed the 220cos (21)-.45(32)(29)/32 was the correct way to do it as mentioned above, but clearly that does not come out to .865. What am I doing wrong?
 
(two threads merged)
 

Similar threads

Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
6K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K