How Much Force is Needed to Move a 50kg Crate?

[vballkatie22]

Homework Statement

A 50kg crate rests on the floor. The coefficient of static friction is .5. The force parallel to the floor needed to move the crates is most nearly:

Choices:
50N
125N
250N
500N

Homework Equations

I have no idea what equation to use for this equation.

The Attempt at a Solution

No attempts yet since I don't know which equation to use.

 

[rock.freak667]

Do you know the equation that F=uR, where F is the frictional force and R is the normal reaction?

 

[vballkatie22]

Do you know the equation that F=uR, where F is the frictional force and R is the normal reaction?

I have seen it before but my teacher never really used it. But I would like to learn how to use it. Can you show me?

 

[rock.freak667]

Firstly, you'll need to find the normal reaction,R. In this case it is simply the crate's weight. When you have that, put that into F=uR where u is the coefficient of friction. Then compare the value of friction that you get to the answers given.

 

[vballkatie22]

Firstly, you'll need to find the normal reaction,R. In this case it is simply the crate's weight. When you have that, put that into F=uR where u is the coefficient of friction. Then compare the value of friction that you get to the answers given.

Ok. That sounds pretty easy. So for that it would look like this..

F= uR
F= (.5)(50)
I guess I multiply right? And that gives me 25N but that isn't an answer.

Did I do something wrong?

 

[rock.freak667]

Ok. That sounds pretty easy. So for that it would look like this..

F= uR
F= (.5)(50)
I guess I multiply right? And that gives me 25N but that isn't an answer.

Did I do something wrong?

50kg is the crate's mass. To find its weight you need to multiply the mass and the acceleration due to gravity

 

[vballkatie22]

50kg is the crate's mass. To find its weight you need to multiply the mass and the acceleration due to gravity

Ok. So to find the weight I take 50kg and times that by acceleration which is 9.8 (gravity)
To get 490.

Correct?

 

[rock.freak667]

Ok. So to find the weight I take 50kg and times that by acceleration which is 9.8 (gravity)
To get 490.

Correct?

yes that is the weight of the crate and hence its normal reaction. Now what is the frictional force (this also is the frictional force which causes the crate to be in limiting equilibrium)

 

[vballkatie22]

yes that is the weight of the crate and hence its normal reaction. Now what is the frictional force (this also is the frictional force which causes the crate to be in limiting equilibrium)

Would it be .5? I don't really know.

 

[rock.freak667]

Would it be .5? I don't really know.

Try F=uR => F=(0.5)(490)

 

[vballkatie22]

Ok.. so the answer would be 245N but the closest one I have is 250N.

Thanks!