Kinetic friction, dragging a box

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving kinetic friction as a box is dragged across a level floor by a rope at an angle. Participants are exploring the forces at play, particularly how to express the force needed to maintain constant speed while considering friction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss breaking down the applied force into its components and applying the concept of friction. There are questions about the acceleration of the box and the balance of vertical and horizontal forces. Some seek clarification on the variables in the friction formula.

Discussion Status

The conversation is active, with participants sharing insights and asking for clarification on concepts related to friction and force components. Guidance has been provided regarding the equations that need to be set up to analyze the forces involved.

Contextual Notes

There is an indication that participants are seeking additional resources to better understand the concept of friction, suggesting some uncertainty about the foundational principles involved in the problem.

dudeman
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A box with mass M is dragged across a level floor having a coefficient of kinetic friction (greek mu)k by a rope that is pulled upward at an angle Theta above the horizontal with a force of magnitude F.

What is the expression of the mag. of force needed to move the box with a constant speed?

I dont' really know what to do on this. What I've tried so far is spliting the angle's force into acos(theta) and asin(theta), then somehow applying friction. Does anyone know where I can read up on friction, maybe I just dont' understand the concept fully.
 
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dudeman said:
A box with mass M is dragged across a level floor having a coefficient of kinetic friction (greek mu)k by a rope that is pulled upward at an angle Theta above the horizontal with a force of magnitude F.

What is the expression of the mag. of force needed to move the box with a constant speed?

I dont' really know what to do on this. What I've tried so far is spliting the angle's force into acos(theta) and asin(theta), then somehow applying friction. Does anyone know where I can read up on friction, maybe I just dont' understand the concept fully.
Is the box accelerating in the either the vertical or horizontal directions? So what are all the vertical forces and what do they add up to? What are the horizontal forces and what do they add up to? Set out those equations and you will easily see how to solve for the applied force. You have to know that the force of kinetic friction is: F_f = \mu_k N and is in the horizontal direction (N is the normal force of the box on the surface).

AM
 
I see you posted a formula Ff=UkN.. what do those variable stand for?
 
Last edited:
rkslperez04 said:
I see you posted a formula Ff=UkN.. what do those variable stand for?
Ff is the force of friction. \mu_k is the coefficient of kinetic friction (ie. F_f/N = \mu_k).

AM
 

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