Newton's Laws applied at an incline including a spring and friction

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around applying Newton's Laws to a problem involving two masses on an incline, a spring, and friction. The original poster is trying to determine the direction of movement for one of the masses based on given parameters such as angles, coefficients of friction, and spring constant.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to analyze the forces acting on the masses, including gravitational force, spring force, and friction. They question the correctness of their calculations and the role of the normal force. Other participants suggest considering the possibility of the system remaining stationary and clarify the distinction between static and kinetic friction.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering clarifications on the forces involved and discussing the conditions under which the system may or may not move. There is an ongoing exploration of the relationships between the forces, but no consensus has been reached regarding the final outcome.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the importance of following forum rules and templates for clarity in future discussions. The original poster expresses urgency as the problem is relevant to an upcoming exam.

gidoru90
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Dear Helpers,
I'm sitting since ours in front of a task and trying to solve it.
Attached you find a picture to the problem.
Given:
θ=28°
μs=0.4
μk=0.3
k=30N/m
m1=1kg
m2=2kg
x0=0
x1=1m --> Spring is stretched

The question is:
Does m2 move up or downwards?


First thing I tried to solve it like this: I considered gravitation, friction and the force of the spring.
So I was thinking the following:
F(Spring)=-k*x
F(Object2)=m2*g
F(Object1)=m1*g*sin(28) <-- is this sin(28) correct?
F(Friction)=μk*F(Normal)
What is in this case the normal Force (F(Normal))?

F(Spring) + F(Friction) > F(Object2) + F(Object1) --> moves upwards
F(Spring) + F(Friction) < F(Object2) + F(Object1) --> moves downwards


I do understand, that I need to sum up all the forces an compare them. But is my way correct? Do I forget to consider sth? Maybe somebody is able to help me.

b) Would be "When does m2 touch the table gently?
For task b)
F=-kx^2
h=1m
Thanks in advance
Gio
 

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Sorry, didn't read the "forum" rules before -.- First time, that I'm using a forum. Is it possible to shift my problem to the correct forum!
I'm sorry.
 
gidoru90 said:
Sorry, didn't read the "forum" rules before -.- First time, that I'm using a forum. Is it possible to shift my problem to the correct forum!
I'm sorry.

I'm sure someone with the ability will move this thread once they see it.



About your question, there is a third possibility, that the object doesn't move at all. We should rule out this possibility first.

For the system not to move, what must be the case?
 
This thread has been moved to its proper location. :smile:

When posting a new question in the homework forums in the future, please follow the template that you will be given automatically, which organizes your information so we can follow it easily. It's obviously missing from this question because you didn't originally post in the homework forums.
 
Does nobody has an idea?! This will be a task in my exam on wednesday!
 
Is this topic really so difficult that nobody has even an idea?!
Just don't know how friction and the spring has to be connected...
 
gidoru90 said:
F(Object1)=m1*g*sin(28) <-- is this sin(28) correct?

Yes that is correct

gidoru90 said:
F(Friction)=μk*F(Normal)
It isn't the kinetic friction you need to consider, it's the static friction.

gidoru90 said:
What is in this case the normal Force (F(Normal))?

It is the component of m1*g that is perpendicular to the slope. Do you know how to calculate this?

gidoru90 said:
F(Spring) + F(Friction) > F(Object2) + F(Object1) --> moves upwards
F(Spring) + F(Friction) < F(Object2) + F(Object1) --> moves downwards

You are close.

If the absolute value of F(Object2) + F(Object1) - F(Spring) > F(Friction) then m2 (and the whole system) moves.
If, on the other hand, [itex]|F_{obj1}+F_{obj2}-F_{spring}|<F_{static.friction}[/itex] then the system doesn't move.Whether or not it moves depends on the absolute value of the forces.

Which way it moves is determined by whether the net force (you don't have to include friction) is positive or negative.

So when figuring out which way it moves, you don't need involve the force of friction (AS LONG AS you've already determined that it DOES in fact move).(This is why I asked you to find out what had to be true for the system to move.)
 
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