Max Horizontal Force for Two Blocks to Accelerate Without Slipping

[Patta1667]

Homework Statement

A block of mass M_1 rests on a block of mass M_2 which lies on a frictionless table. The coefficient of friction between the blocks is \mu. What is the maximum horizontal force which can be applied to the lower (M_2) block for the blocks to accelerate without slipping on one another?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

The acceleration of the two blocks (assuming they're not slipping) is a = \frac{F}{M_1 + M_2}, and you want the upper block (M_1) to not slip, that is, the acceleration times M_1 must be less than or equal to the frictional force. When the blocks start slipping, M_1 a = \mu M_1 g where the frictional force holding the upper block is f = \mu M_1 g. This means that a = \frac{F_{max}}{M_1 + M_2} = \mu g, or F_{max} = \mu g (M_1 + M_2).

I'm not sure if this answer is right, but it makes intuitive sense when looking at the final equation. Thanks for any help!

 

[RoyalCat]

That is correct. :) Just to set your mind at ease, here's what you said in a more formal form:

The maximum force that static friction can enact on the upper block, and the corresponding acceleration at which it would travel are:
f_{s max} = µ_s*M₁*g --> a_max=µ_sg

Now we have our maximal acceleration. We see what the form of the acceleration is for the two blocks moving in tandem, equate the two, and find out F_max.

Since they are moving in tandem, we can refer to them as one block of mass M₁+M₂

a = F/(M₁+M₂) = a_max = µ_sg

F_max = µ_sg(M₁+M₂) //

 

[Patta1667]

Thank you RoyalCat. Here's the catch: The problem originally came in two parts, the first part being that a force F is applied to the upper block, all other components are the same. Intuitively I saw F_{max} = \mu M_1 g in this new situation (both blocks sitting on a frictionless table, recall).

The text gives M_1 = 4, M_2 = 5 (M1 on top), and says that a force of 27 N applied to the lower block causes them to slip. Thus, from the original formula F_{max} = \mu g (M_1 + M_2) I calculated the appropriate \mu = 0.306. Then it asks for the maximum force which applied to the upper block, so plugging in \mu = 0.306 should give the text's answer. F_{max} = (0.306)(9.8)(4) = 12 N but the "correct answer" is 21.6 N.

Either my formula for the top-block force is wrong, we're both wrong for the bottom formula, or the text's answer is wrong, or a combination! What do you think?

 

[RoyalCat]

Oh, I see it now.
If you're pushing the top block at just enough force so that it doesn't slip, what forces are acting on the bottom block, and in what acceleration do they result?
Now remember that the acceleration of the bottom block is shared by the top block, and since they are moving in tandem, the force acting on them needs to provide the acceleration for both of them.

 

[Patta1667]

Right, that was pretty silly of me. Thanks again - answer makes sense now.

F_{max} = (M_1 + M_2)a
M_2 a = \mu g M_1 \implies a = \mu g \frac{M_1}{M_2}
F_{max} = (M_1 + M_2) \mu g \frac{M_1}{M_2} = 21.6N

 

[RoyalCat]

You're welcome. :) It didn't come intuitively to me either, heh.