How Much Force is Needed to Move a Block Against Friction and Gravity?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mslena79
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the minimum force required to move a block against friction and gravity while it is in contact with a vertical wall. The problem involves understanding the forces acting on the block, including its weight, the applied force at an angle, and the static friction between the block and the wall.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore various equations related to static friction and the forces acting on the block. Some attempt to derive the minimum force needed to prevent the block from sliding down and to initiate upward movement. Others question the application of the normal force and the setup of the free body diagram.

Discussion Status

There are multiple interpretations of the problem, with participants offering different equations and approaches. Some guidance has been provided regarding the correct application of forces and the relationships between them, but no consensus has been reached on the solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants express confusion regarding the placement of the applied force vector in the free body diagram and the assumptions made about the angles and forces involved. There is also mention of potential errors in the initial equations used by some participants.

mslena79
Messages
32
Reaction score
0
1. There is a block parallel and touching a vertical wall, a force F is applied at a 40 deg. angle from -x,-y. the weight of the block is 88.9N. The coefficient of static friction between the block and the wall is 0.560.
a) what is the minimum force F required to prevent the block from sliding down the wall?
b) what is the minimum force F required to start the block moving up the wall?



Homework Equations





3.a) Fs(max)=(0.560)(88.9N)=49.8N
Fy=88.9N-49.8N=39.1N
Fx=(39.1N)/(cos(40))=51.0N
\sqrt{39.1^2+51.0^2}=F
F=64.3N

b) 88.9N +49.8 N=138.7N=Fy
Fx=(138.7N)/(cos(40))=181.06N
\sqrt{138.7^2+181.06^2}=F
F=228N
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You should be more specific...

I saw an error on your equations. The friction equation is defined as F_{sf}=\mu_{s}*N.

N is the normal force of the surface. In your case is the Normal force from the wall and you used the weight of the box. You should use as N the x component of the force F you should apply.

Try again knowing this fact.

Note: Superscript should be underscript.
 
a)88.9N*tan(40)=74.6N=Fn
Fy=88.9N
Fs=(0.560)*(74.6N)=41.8N
88.9N-41.8N=47.1N
\sqrt{47.1^2+74.6^2}=88.2N
F=88.2N
 
mslena79 said:
a)88.9N*tan(40)=74.6N=Fn
Fy=88.9N
Fs=(0.560)*(74.6N)=41.8N
88.9N-41.8N=47.1N
\sqrt{47.1^2+74.6^2}=88.2N
F=88.2N

Are you guessing?

Here, the least force applied to prevent motion is when friction vector is pointing upward.
Write both of your equations, \Sigma\vec{F}=0 x and y.

Solve equations simultaneously. You unknowns are N and F and you have two equations.
 
I don't understand.
 
mslena79 said:
I don't understand.

Due to my english? It can't be that bad.
 
No, I think I am having trouble because I am not sure where to place the applied force vector on my free body diagram. I have fs pointing +y, mg -y, Fn=-x, F 40 deg. in the (-x,-y)quadrant.
 
mslena79 said:
No, I think I am having trouble because I am not sure where to place the applied force vector on my free body diagram. I have fs pointing +y, mg -y, Fn=-x, F 40 deg. in the (-x,-y)quadrant.

Ahh. That's they way it's suppose to be. Now you make use the following equations

\sum Fx=0

-Fn+F*cos(40)=0

Note: I assumed the angle given is the angle between the force and the x axis, otherwise you should use sin

\sum Fy=0

Fs-m*g+F*sin(40)=0 Fs=\mu s*Fn so first equation for Fn you should have:

Fn=F*cos(40) and you substitute this equation on the \sum Fy=0 equation:

F*cos(40)-m*g+F*sin(40)=0 and then F=\frac{m*g}{cos(40)+sin(40)}

;-)
 
Last edited:
I recently came across this question while looking for solutions to mine (which was essentially the same thing). After solving it, I thought that I'd come back and add on to the solution, in case there were still some questions or somebody else is in need of assistance.

Fcos(x)-w+usFn=0 and Fsin(x)-Fn=0

After simplifying the two equations that, together, find the solution to the problem, one ends up with:

\frac{W}{cos(\Theta\degree)+\mu_{s}sin(\Theta\degree)}=F_{n}

where Theta is the angle measurement, Mu is the coefficient, and W is the weight (or force).
 
  • #10
Likewise, for the second part, simply subtract the second term in the denominator rather than adding, because the frictional force is in the opposite direction.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
13K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
6K
Replies
92
Views
9K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
7K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
7K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K