How Do You Calculate Acceleration with Friction Involved?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating acceleration involving friction for two crates with masses of 75 kg and 110 kg, subjected to a 730 N force. The coefficient of kinetic friction is given as 0.15. To solve the problem, one must draw free body force diagrams for each crate, establish the relationships between forces and acceleration in both horizontal and vertical directions, and apply Newton's second law: Force - F_friction = mass * acceleration. The net acceleration and the force each crate exerts on the other can be derived from these equations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's second law of motion
  • Knowledge of free body diagrams
  • Familiarity with the concept of friction, specifically kinetic friction
  • Basic algebra for solving equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study how to draw and interpret free body diagrams in physics
  • Learn about calculating frictional forces using the formula F_friction = μ * N
  • Explore the application of Newton's laws in multi-body systems
  • Practice solving problems involving forces and accelerations in different scenarios
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This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone seeking to understand the dynamics of objects in motion with frictional forces involved.

yeyspaz
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I really don't undersand the friction chapter in my physics book, can somebody please help with one question. "Two crates of a mas of 75 and 110 kg are at rest on a horizontal surface. A 730 N force is exerted on the 75 kg box. If the coeff. of kinetic friction is .15 what is the acceleration of the boxes and the force each box exerts on the other?
Can somebody at least tell me what formaula to use. I am completely lost :frown:
 
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1) Draw the Free body force diagram for each box.

2) Write down the relations between the forces and acceleration for each box in the horizontal and vertical directions.

3) From the equations you can find the net acceleration and force each box exerts on the other.

Show us where exactly in the problem you are stuck. It will be easier to help that way.
 
Force = mass*acceleration (isn't this some law)

you have... Force - Ffriction = mass*acceleration

you know F
you know your masses
what is friction? your freebody will tell
 

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