What Is the Minimum Force to Keep a Sled From Slipping on an Inclined Plane?

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SUMMARY

The minimum force required to prevent a sled weighing 70 N from slipping down an inclined plane at 20° is determined by analyzing the forces acting on the sled, including static friction with a coefficient of 0.25. The frictional force acts up the slope when the sled is on the verge of slipping. Misinterpretation of the direction of friction can lead to incorrect calculations, as it must be considered opposing the motion of the sled. Properly drawing free body diagrams and applying the correct coefficients of friction are essential for accurate problem-solving in physics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of static and kinetic friction coefficients
  • Ability to draw and interpret free body diagrams
  • Knowledge of forces acting on inclined planes
  • Basic algebra for solving equations related to forces
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of static friction and its applications in inclined planes
  • Learn how to accurately draw and analyze free body diagrams
  • Explore the calculations involved in determining forces on inclined surfaces
  • Review examples of similar physics problems involving friction and inclined planes
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics courses, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of objects on inclined surfaces.

Stianos
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1. A loaded penguin sled weighing 70 N rests on a plane inclined at 20° to the horizontal. Between the sled and the plane the coefficient of static friction is 0.25, and the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.16.
(a) What is the minimum magnitude of the force F, parallel to the plane, that will prevent the sled from slipping down the plane?

3. I cannot figure out what I'm doing wrong. I draw my free body diagram, write out an x/y chart, and then solve.
I write a lot, so I'm just post an imgur link with my work in it.
http://imgur.com/pCNNQ

Can anyone show me what I'm doing wrong?
 
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Hello, Stianos.

If the sled is on the verge of slipping down the slope, what is the direction of the friction force?

Also, looks like you're treating the coefficient of friction as being the same as the force of friction.
 
If the sled is on the verge of slipping down the slope, then the friction is pointing up the slope?
Should I not do that? What should I do instead?
Thank you for responding, sorry I couldn't not respond immediately.
 
Stianos said:
If the sled is on the verge of slipping down the slope, then the friction is pointing up the slope?
Yes. It looked to me that you had the friction pointing down the slope.
 

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