How to Solve Moment and Friction Problems in Mechanics

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chantry09
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Friction Moment
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a mechanics problem involving moments and friction, specifically analyzing the forces acting on a trolley in equilibrium and the effects of friction at different points.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the calculation of moments due to applied forces and weight, questioning the conditions for equilibrium. There is discussion about the role of friction and the normal force at different points on the trolley.

Discussion Status

Some participants have confirmed calculations regarding moments, while others express confusion about the role of friction and the normal force. There is an ongoing exploration of the relationships between forces and moments, with hints provided to consider diagrams and specific points of action.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention a coefficient of friction and specific distances related to the forces, indicating that the problem is based on a past exam paper. There is a focus on understanding the implications of the applied forces and the distribution of weight on the trolley.

Chantry09
Messages
59
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/7580/mechhelpui7.jpg

2. The attempt at a solution

(i) Moment of F = 70 x 800 = 56000
Moment of weight = 500 x 270 = 135000

Therefore the trolley remains at rest. Is this right?

(ii) Can you help me with this question please?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
# Hi
# for (i) Yes you are right. The thing will not start to rotate until the moment due to force exceeds the moment of weight.
# (ii) For calculating the moment one looks at the perpendicular distance between the force vector and the pivot point and they are the same for figure I and II. but the pivot points are different. A in I and B in II. Hope this helps.
 
Hi, thank you for confirming (i) is correct.

Im still a little confused about (ii). It gives me a coefficient of friction value of 0.5 for the wheel. I know:

F = Coefficient of friction X Resultant
F = 0.5 x 500
F = 250N = Friction force acting in the opposite direction of the force pushing the trolley

Is this corrent so far? I don't really know where to go from here, could anyone help me out?
 
Spadez said:
2. The attempt at a solution

(i) Moment of F = 70 x 800 = 56000
Moment of weight = 500 x 270 = 135000

Therefore the trolley remains at rest. Is this right?
What about the forces at B?
 
Am i not accounting for the weight at B by finding the moment of the weight force? If I am doing something wrong can you please set me straight, its the first question on this past exam paper and its driving me nuts.
 
Spadez said:
Am i not accounting for the weight at B by finding the moment of the weight force?
No. There is a reaction force of the ground on the object at point B. Figure out that normal force. Then you can compare the applied force F to the static friction force.
 
Since the weight is central, does that mean the weight on point A and point B will be equal? If this is the case, that means there is a reaction force of 250N at point B.

Is that correct?
 
No. You can't just forget about the applied force F. Consider moments of all forces to find the normal force.
 
Force F as in the friction force on the wheel or the force pushing the trolley?

I really appreciate your help Doc Al, but I am having a hard time understanding the process i have to go through to get the rigth answer. Can you possibly go into a little more detail so i am able to understand?
 
  • #10
Spadez said:
Force F as in the friction force on the wheel or the force pushing the trolley?
Force F as in the applied force on the object. (Look at the diagram!)

The wheels are frictionless; friction will only act at point B.

Draw yourself a diagram showing all forces acting on the object. Don't neglect the forces acting at point B.

Hint: Consider moments about point A.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
4K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
26K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
15K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
19
Views
3K