How to calculate force given Newtons, degrees, and friction

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the force required to move a 400N trunk down a 20-degree inclined plane with a coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.56, while maintaining constant velocity. The context is centered around forces acting on an object on an incline, including gravitational force, normal force, and frictional force.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive an equation using a free body diagram but expresses uncertainty about the necessary calculations involving trigonometric functions. Some participants question the identification and direction of forces acting on the trunk.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the components of forces acting on the trunk and clarifying the definitions of those forces. There is a focus on resolving forces into components, but no consensus has been reached on a specific approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of the angle of the incline and the coefficient of friction in their analysis. There is an emphasis on accurately identifying force directions and components, which may influence the calculations.

Josef
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Homework Statement


A 400N trunk is on a 20 degree inclined plane and has a coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.56. What force must be exerted on the trunk to make it slide down the plane at a constant velocity?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I have drawn a free body diagram of the situation but am not able to derive an equation to calculate the force needed. Given an angle, I assume I will be using a trigonometric function.
 
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Josef said:
I have drawn a free body diagram
So what forces are there on the trunk and in what directions do they act?
 
The force of gravity acts upon it (downward direction), The normal force (parallel to the surface), and The force of friction in the opposite direction of the movement of the trunk.
 
Josef said:
The normal force (parallel to the surface)
Not parallel. It is called the normal force for a reason.
There is also the driving force to be found.

Next, you need to resolve all the forces into components. You can either choose the component directions to be vertical and horizontal or normal to the plane and parallel to the plane. Your choice.
 

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