Moving a box with a force that is less than gravity

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a box with a specific mass and the forces acting on it when pushed or pulled at an angle. The central question is whether it is possible to keep the box moving with a force that is less than the gravitational force acting on it.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the applied force and gravitational force, particularly in the context of friction. There are attempts to derive conditions under which the box can still move despite the applied force being less than the weight of the box.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring various interpretations of the forces involved, particularly the role of friction and the angle of application. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between the applied force and gravitational force, but no consensus has been reached on the implications of these relationships.

Contextual Notes

There is an ongoing discussion about the assumptions related to friction and the conditions under which the box can remain in motion. The specific values for the coefficient of friction and the angle of force application are not fully defined, which may impact the conclusions drawn.

kotchenski
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Homework Statement


The object is a box with a given mass m. Our person has the choice between pushing the box with a horizontal force, or pulling the box with a wire with an angle of θ=30o. The magnitude of Fo is the force vector he affects the box with in both cases.

Is it possible (If you can freely choose a value for θ) to keep the box moving without using a force fo that is greater than the gravity on the box


Homework Equations


A drawing of the situation:
http://myupload.dk/handleupload/64d68oBb8KHy8

I believe I need an equation that describes the force Fo of θ, which I've found is given as:
F_o(θ)=\frac{\mu_k mg}{cos(θ)-μ_k sin(θ)}

The Attempt at a Solution



I could choose to solve F'o(θ)=0 for theta which gives θ=arctan(μk)

This would describe the minimum force required but I don't know how to relate that to Fg
 
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What is the relationship between friction and the weight of the box?

But what would the turning point tell you?
Don't you want to know where F0 < Fg
 
Simon Bridge said:
What is the relationship between friction and the weight of the box?

But what would the turning point tell you?
Don't you want to know where F0 < Fg

So if I use that Fnet(x)=Fo*cos(θ)-μn

And that Fnet(x)<0, then the value of θ<arctan(μ), and therefor I'm applying a force Fo that is less than gravity? Wouldn't that technically mean the box is not moving and is being held back by the friction?
 
Wouldn't that technically mean the box is not moving and is being held back by the friction?
Why would that be? Gravity is mg... and force less than mg would be less than gravity. To overcome friction it just has to overcome μmg.cos(θ) ...
 

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