Minimum coefficient of static friction

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the minimum coefficient of static friction required for a person to maintain stability on an inclined driveway with a slope of 19 degrees. The context is rooted in the principles of forces acting on an incline, particularly focusing on static friction and normal force.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between normal force and gravitational force components, with some attempting to apply trigonometric functions to find the coefficient of static friction. There are questions regarding the use of degrees versus radians in calculations, and participants express confusion about the implications of their calculations.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the calculations involved, with participants questioning their assumptions about the forces and the correct application of trigonometric functions. Some guidance has been offered regarding the importance of angle measurement in calculations, but no consensus has been reached on the correct approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential errors related to the use of degrees and radians in their calculations, as well as the misunderstanding of the role of gravitational acceleration in determining the coefficient of static friction.

emily081715
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Homework Statement


If the incline of the driveway is 19 ∘ from the horizontal, what must the minimum coefficient of static friction be between your shoes and the ice?

Homework Equations


Fs=uN

The Attempt at a Solution


IMG_7745.JPG
 
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i need help figuring out my error, i assumed that the N force was equal to mgcosθ and Fs was equal to mgsinθ. the masses must cancel out and following what is written on my paper, i got and answer of 0.15. this is incorrect and i need help finding out why
 
emily081715 said:
i need help figuring out my error, i assumed that the N force was equal to mgcosθ and Fs was equal to mgsinθ. the masses must cancel out and following what is written on my paper, i got and answer of 0.15. this is incorrect and i need help finding out why
Degrees versus radians.
 
haruspex said:
Degrees versus radians.
i don't understand?
 
emily081715 said:
i don't understand?
Did you plug the 19 degrees into the tan function of a calculator? It can probably be set to expect angles to be specified in degrees or radians, but you have to make sure you select the right one.
 
haruspex said:
Did you plug the 19 degrees into the tan function of a calculator? It can probably be set to expect angles to be specified in degrees or radians, but you have to make sure you select the right one.
 
so my original answer was in my radians and i did 9.8 tan (19) in degrees and got 3.4 as the answer, is that to big?
 
emily081715 said:
so my original answer was in my radians and i did 9.8 tan (19) in degrees and got 3.4 as the answer, is that to big?
Why the 9.8? g is not part of the coefficient.
 
emily081715 said:
so my original answer was in my radians and i did 9.8 tan (19) in degrees and got 3.4 as the answer, is that to big?
well actually i know its incorrect
 
  • #10
emily081715 said:
well actually i know its incorrect
so just tan (19)
 
  • #11
emily081715 said:
so just tan (19)
Yes.
 

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