What is the Net Force on a Block Against a Wall With Static Friction?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a block being pushed against a vertical wall with static friction. The block has a weight of 5.0 N, and the coefficient of static friction is 0.25. The objective is to determine the net force on the block, considering both the normal force and the friction force.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the forces acting on the block, including static friction and weight. There are questions about how to calculate the horizontal forces and how the vertical and horizontal forces interact.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing guidance on drawing free body diagrams and identifying force directions. There is a focus on understanding the relationships between the forces involved, but no consensus has been reached on the calculations.

Contextual Notes

There is an emphasis on understanding the balance of forces in both horizontal and vertical directions. The original poster expresses uncertainty about the horizontal aspect of the problem, indicating a potential gap in information or understanding.

kathmill
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Homework Statement


A horizontal force F pushes a block of weight 5.0 N aganist a vertical wall. The coefficient of static friction between the wall and the block is 0.25. The force F is the minimum required to hold the block in place.
Find the magnitude of the net force on the block by the wall (include both normal force and friction force).


Homework Equations



F = ma
Fs = coefficient of static friction * normal force.

The Attempt at a Solution



F = Fs + Fn

I don't understand how to calculate the horizontal aspect of it? Any help?

Thanks!
 
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Draw a free body diagram for the mass, the upward/downward forces and the left/right forces...
what keeps the mass from sliding up and down and what keeps the mass from going through the wall...
 
So the static friction force is an upward force and mg is a downward force; whereas the force applied (which I am trying to find) and the normal force are left/ right forces. But how do the up/down and left/right compare to each other?
 
Yeah you got the direction of the forces...
So what you have in essence is
http://geocities.com/hackers_007_008/Untitled.jpg
 

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