How Does Static Friction Affect Crate Stability on a Moving Lorry?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of static friction on the stability of a crate placed on a moving lorry, particularly as the lorry navigates a banked turn. Participants explore the forces acting on the crate, the role of static friction, and the conditions under which the crate may slip. The scope includes theoretical reasoning and application of physics concepts related to motion and forces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how to incorporate static friction into the equations governing the motion of the crate, specifically referencing the centripetal force equation F = mv²/r.
  • Another participant suggests drawing a free-body diagram to visualize the forces acting on the crate, emphasizing the need for a net unbalanced force pointing towards the center of the turn.
  • There is a discussion about what prevents the crate from sliding off the lorry as it turns, indicating that multiple forces must be considered beyond just the centripetal force.
  • A participant notes that Part B of the problem is a variant of Part A and suggests that SUVAT equations may not be necessary for solving it.
  • An aside is made comparing the situation to a banked track in a velodrome, highlighting the concept of minimum and maximum safe speeds related to banking angles and friction, drawing parallels to the crate's stability on the lorry.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the role of static friction and the forces acting on the crate. There is no consensus on how to approach the problem, and multiple viewpoints on the necessity of certain equations and diagrams are presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the assumptions regarding the forces acting on the crate, the conditions for slipping, and the specific equations needed for analysis. The discussion remains open to interpretation and further exploration.

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A flatbed lorry travels at 100km/hr around a corner of radius 300m. inwardly banked at 10°
On the back of the lorry is a crate whose mass is 200kg. The cofficient of static fricition between the crate and the lorry being 0.7.

A) State the magnitude and direction (up or down the bed) of the frictional force F acting on the crate.

I am struggling with this question i believe you have to use the F= Mv^2/r to find the force but where does the static friction come into the equation?

Can anyone help please!

B) If the lorry were to enter a corner with a bank angle of 40° and radius of 150m. what is the range of speeds over which the lorry may travel without the crate slipping?

Does this question require the use of the SUVAT equations?

Can anyone help please!

Any working outs will be very useful

Thank you
 
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Draw the free-body diagram (head on).
Draw all the forces acting on the load.

There must be a net unbalanced force pointing to the center of the turn equal to the centripetal force.
 
where does the static friction come into the equation

What stops the load sliding off the truck as it goes around the corner?

mv2/r is just one of the forces acting on the load. For example what other forces would act on the load if the truck was stationary on the banked road?

As Simon said draw the diagram and work out all the forces.
 
Part B is an variant of Part A. Won't need SUVAT equations.

Aside: Have you ever seen the banked track in a velodrome? The track is so steep that if a rider goes around too slowly they sometimes slide down the steep banking. On the other hand what would happen if you went around a banked track in a car way too fast or the banking wasn't steep enough? Under the right conditions there is a minimum and a maximum safe speed for banked tracks. Too slow and you slide down. Too high and you fly off the top. Your problem is similar except instead of friction between the tires and track being the issue is the friction between load and flat bed.
 

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