Static Friction - starting motion

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
3 replies · 33K views
surfinusa555
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
To move a large crate across a rough floor, you push on it with a force at an angle of 21 degrees below the horizontal, as shown in the figure:
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/4950/walker67ac0.jpg

Find the force necessary to start the crate moving, given that the mass of the crate is 32kg and the coefficient of static friction between the crate and the floor is 0.50.

[tex] F_x = \mu_s * F_N[/tex]

Here is what I did, and got the wrong answer:
[tex] M_c = 32kg \\*[/tex]

[tex] \mu_s = 0.50[/tex]

[tex] F_x = \mu_s * F_N[/tex]

So...
[itex] F_x = \mu_s * (M_c) * (a_g)[/itex]

[tex] F_x = 0.5*(32kg)*(9.8 m/s^2)[/tex]

[tex] F_x = 156.8N[/tex]

So...
[tex] Cos(21) = (156.8 N)/C[/tex]

C = 167.96 N

That answer is wrong... so what am I doing wrong?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Re-examine your acceleration in the X direction.
 
I'm sorry, I still don't understand...
are you saying that the normal force is not equal to (32)*(9.8)?
 
First write the equations for [tex]\Sigma{F_x} = ma_x[/tex] and [tex]\Sigma{F_y} = ma_y[/tex].

This is the most important step. If you have the equations right, then the problem is easily solved.