Need help finding coefficient of friction on an incline plane/pulley

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the coefficient of kinetic friction for two objects connected by a string over a frictionless pulley. Given masses m1 = 8.32 kg and m2 = 6.40 kg, and an incline angle of 56°, the acceleration of m1 is 2.210 m/s². The user initially calculated the tension in the string as T = 63.1488 N but incorrectly derived the coefficient of kinetic friction (μ) as 0.1068. The correct approach involves using the forces acting along the incline and adjusting the angle used in calculations to avoid errors.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's second law (F=ma)
  • Knowledge of free body diagrams (FBDs)
  • Familiarity with friction concepts, specifically kinetic and static friction
  • Ability to resolve forces along inclined planes
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the derivation of tension in pulley systems
  • Learn about resolving forces on inclined planes
  • Study the relationship between static and kinetic friction coefficients
  • Practice problems involving multiple masses and friction on inclines
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics involving pulleys and friction, as well as educators looking for examples of problem-solving in dynamics.

bates.384
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Homework Statement



Two objects are connected by a light string that passes over a frictionless pulley as shown in the figure below. m1 = 8.32 kg, m2 = 6.40 kg, and = 56°. When released from rest, m1 accelerates downward at 2.210 m/s2. For this to happen, the coefficient of kinetic friction must be [blank], and to even begin sliding in the first place the coefficient of static friction must be [greater than or less than] than [blank] .

link to figure http://www.webassign.net/userimages/SerPSE8-5-p-030-phi.png?db=v4net&id=208569

Homework Equations



F=ma
Fk=μN

The Attempt at a Solution



Ok here goes. I 'solved' this with great confidence, only getting wrong answers. Hopefully you guys can pinpoint where I went wrong.

So I started with drawing my FBD's and what not, and I want to find the Tension in the string first. I set this up by using m1, since it's hanging and should be fairly straightforward.

mg-T = ma
(8.32)(9.8)-T = (8.32)(2.21)
I got T = 63.1488N

After having that I figured I would use m2's forces in the x direction to solve for μ. I set up the equation by the following:

Fxnet = Tcos34-mgsin34-μmgcos34 = ma, and here I used acos34 since that would be the acceleration in the x direction. I solved and got μ = .1068 but that is the wrong answer. I am very confused.

Thank you in advance for all help!
 
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bates.384 said:

Homework Statement



Two objects are connected by a light string that passes over a frictionless pulley as shown in the figure below. m1 = 8.32 kg, m2 = 6.40 kg, and = 56°. When released from rest, m1 accelerates downward at 2.210 m/s2. For this to happen, the coefficient of kinetic friction must be [blank], and to even begin sliding in the first place the coefficient of static friction must be [greater than or less than] than [blank] .

link to figure http://www.webassign.net/userimages/SerPSE8-5-p-030-phi.png?db=v4net&id=208569

Homework Equations



F=ma
Fk=μN

The Attempt at a Solution



Ok here goes. I 'solved' this with great confidence, only getting wrong answers. Hopefully you guys can pinpoint where I went wrong.

So I started with drawing my FBD's and what not, and I want to find the Tension in the string first. I set this up by using m1, since it's hanging and should be fairly straightforward.

mg-T = ma
(8.32)(9.8)-T = (8.32)(2.21)
I got T = 63.1488N
this looks good
After having that I figured I would use m2's forces in the x direction to solve for μ. I set up the equation by the following:

Fxnet = Tcos34-mgsin34-μmgcos34 = ma, and here I used acos34 since that would be the acceleration in the x direction. I solved and got μ = .1068 but that is the wrong answer. I am very confused.

Thank you in advance for all help!
The sketch is way out of scale if the interior angle at the top of the incline is 56 degrees, but so be it.
It is most advantageous to choose the x-axis as the axis parallel to the incline, and the y-axis as the axis perpendicular to the incline. This avoids all sorts of headaches when using conventional horiz and vert axes. When you use the x-axis as the axis along the incline, then the x comp of the weight is mgsin34, the friction x comp is umgcos34, but your known tension and acceleration act along the incline.
 

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