Work done by kinetic friction force without coefficient?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving work done by forces acting on a box being pulled horizontally. The subject area includes concepts of work, kinetic friction, and Newton's laws of motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore how to calculate the work done by the applied force and the kinetic frictional force. Questions arise regarding the need for the coefficient of friction and the relationship between applied force, net force, and acceleration.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the relationship between the applied force and the net force acting on the box. There is ongoing exploration of how to correctly calculate the work done by friction, with various attempts and interpretations being discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of the friction coefficient and question the implications of previously calculated work values. The original poster expresses confusion about the relationship between different work values and their significance in the context of the problem.

Jessica Sweet
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Homework Statement


A person pulls a box (m=10 kg) horizontally with +2m/s2 acceleration by applying 45 N force. The displacement of the box is 8 meters from initial position.
a) How much work is done by applied force?
b) How much work is done by kinetic frictional force?

Homework Equations


Wf = Fcosθs
F=ma
Wfk = -Fks ?
Fk = μN ?

The Attempt at a Solution


I solved for part a, which was 360J.
I don't know how to solve for part b, which it seems like I would need the friction coefficient?
I tried Wfk = -(10)(2)(8) = -160 J, but that is incorrect.
How do I find Fk to solve for the work done by friction?
 
Last edited:
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Answer this question: How much of the applied force is used to accelerate the box?
 
Um, 45 N of force was applied to it. Would force of kinetic friction be -45 N then? Or am I just getting myself confused?
 
Jack has a point.
Yes, you applied 45 N,
but apparently that's not the force used to accelerate the box since its mass is 10 Kg and its accelerations is 2 m / s / s. The net force is what you should be looking at. Rethink. :):)
 
Last edited:
[tex]\sum F = ma[/tex]
[tex]F_{total} - F_{friction} = ma[/tex]
 
Write Newton's second law for the box.
 
Alright, so Ftotal = 45 N, I am looking for frictional force, and ma = 20.
45-Ffk = 20
Ffk=25
Then I have Wfk = -(25)(8) = -200 J?
Is this the correct answer?
 
Look again at your OP and you already found 360 J and 160 J. How does your 200 J fits in there?

Just for the fun of it, can you find the coefficient of friction?
 
Are you saying I could have subtracted the 160 from 360? What value does the 160 J represent that I solved for? Gosh, I feel stupid.
 
  • #10
Never mind, I got it all covered. My brain is working again. It's amazing what stress can do to the brain. Thanks for the help everybody.
 

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