Why Does Kinetic Friction Apply When a Box Starts Sliding Down an Incline?

fishingspree2
Messages
138
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A 2.5 kg box in on a 53 degrees inclined plane. mu-kinetic = 0.25 and mu-static=0.5. Find it's acceleration if it is initially standing still.


Homework Equations


F = ma


The Attempt at a Solution


The X component of the gravity is = 2.5*g*sin(53)
Normal force = 2.5*g*cos(53)
Maximum static force = mu-static*N = 0.5*2.5*g*cos(53)
To my understanding, since it is not moving, I will use mu-static because once the force becomes greater than maxmum static force by an infinitely small number, it is accelerating close to the accelerating value found using maximum static force.
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/8263/frictionto4.jpg

F = ma
[2.5*g*sin(53)] - [0.5*2.5*g*cos(53)] = 2.5*a
g [sin(53) - 0.5*cos(53)] = a
a= 4.87 m/s^2

however, by looking in the answer booklet, this is in correct, and the acceleration is found by using mu-kinetic
g [sin(53) - 0.25*cos(53)] = a
a= 6.35 m/s^2

it really makes more sense in my head using mu-static instead of mu-kinetic
can somebody show me why it is wrong?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
If the box is accelerating from an initially at rest position, then it must be moving. You can't use static friction forces for objects in motion. The box is initially standing still either because you are holding it there, or because it has come to a momentary stop after someone shoved it up the incline.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
46
Views
8K
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
19
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
6K