What is the Resultant Force When Sitting and Other Physics Queries?

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SUMMARY

The resultant force when sitting on a chair is equal to the gravitational force acting downward, balanced by the normal force acting upward, resulting in a net force of zero. In the absence of external forces, a moving object maintains constant velocity, as dictated by Newton's first law of motion. The coefficient of static friction on an inclined plane is determined by the tangent of the angle of incline (θ) at which the object begins to slide, expressed mathematically as μ_s = tan(θ). These principles are foundational in understanding basic mechanics in physics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Knowledge of static friction and its calculation
  • Familiarity with force diagrams and free-body diagrams
  • Basic trigonometry, specifically tangent functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Newton's laws of motion in detail
  • Learn about free-body diagrams and their applications in problem-solving
  • Explore the concept of friction, including kinetic and static friction
  • Investigate the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration using F=ma
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of force and motion.

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Homework Statement


When you sit on a chair, the resultant force on you is ..?

The Attempt at a Solution


Down, because of gravity?

Homework Statement


In the absence of an external force, a moving object will:
stop immediately
slow down and eventually come to a stop MY ANSWER
go faster and faster
move with constant velocity

Homework Statement


An object is placed on an inclined plane. The angle of the incline is gradually increased until the object begins to slide. The angle at which this occurs is theta. What is the coefficient of static friction between the object and the plane?

Homework Equations


tan(theta)
That's what I understood, but I need to make sure...

Thanks!
 
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All of your answers are incorrect. Try again, draw force diagrams and really think these problems through.
 
For the first one, the force on the chair is down, but the force on me is up... Would this be correct?
 
For the second one, I reviewed the laws, and I would say that the velocity would stay constant (unless some external force came into play). Would this be correct?
 
future_vet said:
For the first one, the force on the chair is down, but the force on me is up... Would this be correct?

Yes, that's better. For the second question, start with F=ma.


EDIT -- And I believe that your answer for the 3rd one is correct, \mu_s = tan( \Theta )
 
Last edited:
Are you absolutely sure my last answer is incorrect?...

The Prenhall website has the same question. I entered an answer other than tan to make sure, and I got:
An object is placed on an inclined plane. The angle of incline is gradually increased until the object begins to slide. The angle at which this occurs is θ. What is the coefficient of static friction between the object and the plane?

Your Answer:
sin θ

Correct Answer:
tan θ
 
berkeman said:
Yes, that's better. For the second question, start with F=ma.

You mean that if F doesn't change, and m doesn't change, a will be constant?
 
future_vet said:
For the second one, I reviewed the laws, and I would say that the velocity would stay constant (unless some external force came into play). Would this be correct?

That is correct.
 
future_vet said:
You mean that if F doesn't change, and m doesn't change, a will be constant?

No, I mean that if there is no external force, the acceleration is zero. And you correctly inferred that this means the velocity is constant.
 
  • #10
Thank you!
 
  • #11
the resultant force on me is mg upward where m is my mass angd is acceleration due to gravity
 
  • #12
in absence of external force body moves with constant velocity
 

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