A 10 kg block is pulled up a 30° incline by a force F = 80 N parallel to the incline. The coefficient of kinetic friction is μₖ = 0.25. Find: (a) the normal force, (b) the friction force, and (c) the acceleration of the block.
Static and kinetic friction, motion on inclines with calculus analysis
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fk=μkN
where N is the normal force and typically μs>μk.
Motion with Friction
For an object sliding with kinetic friction:
ma=Fapplied−fk=Fapplied−μkmg
dtdv=mFapplied−μkg
Stopping Distance
Object sliding on horizontal surface with initial velocity v0:
a=−μkg
vdxdv=−μkg
∫v00vdv=−μkg∫0ddx
−21v02=−μkgd
d=2μkgv02
Inclined Planes
For angle θ from horizontal:
Coordinate system: x-axis along incline (positive down), y-axis perpendicular
Weight components:
Parallel to incline: F∥=mgsinθ
Perpendicular: F⊥=mgcosθ
Normal force:N=mgcosθ (when no vertical acceleration)
Sliding Down Incline
With kinetic friction:
ma=mgsinθ−μkmgcosθ
a=g(sinθ−μkcosθ)
Condition for sliding:sinθ>μkcosθ, or tanθ>μk
Velocity after distance d:v2=v02+2ad=v02+2gd(sinθ−μkcosθ)
Critical Angle for Static Friction
Object on the verge of sliding:
fs=μsN
mgsinθc=μsmgcosθc
tanθc=μs
Motion with Time-Dependent Force
Force F(t) applied up an incline:
mdtdv=F(t)−mgsinθ−μkmgcosθ
v(t)=v0+∫0tmF(t′)dt′−gt(sinθ+μkcosθ)
Example: Exponential Force
If F(t)=F0e−t/τ:
v(t)=v0+mF0τ(1−e−t/τ)−gt(sinθ+μkcosθ)
Blocks Connected on Incline
Two blocks (masses m1, m2) connected by rope over pulley:
Block 1 on incline at angle θ, block 2 hanging vertically.
This work is converted to thermal energy (non-conservative force).
N=mgcosθ=(10)(9.8)cos(30°)
N=98(0.866)
N=84.9 N
(b) Friction force:
fk=μkN=(0.25)(84.9)
fk=21.2 N (down incline)
(c) Acceleration:
Net force along incline:
Fnet=F−mgsinθ−fk
Fnet=80−(10)(9.8)sin(30°)−21.2
Fnet=80−49−21.2=9.8 N
a=mFnet=109.8
a=0.98 m/s2 (up incline)
2Problem 2medium
❓ Question:
A block of mass m = 5.0 kg is released from rest at the top of a rough incline (θ = 20°, μₖ = 0.15) of length L = 10 m. Find: (a) the acceleration down the incline, (b) the speed at the bottom, and (c) the energy dissipated by friction.
💡 Show Solution
Given:
m = 5.0 kg
θ = 20°
μₖ = 0.15
L = 10 m
v₀ = 0
(a) Acceleration:
Forces along incline:
ma=mgsinθ−μkmgcosθ
a=g(sinθ−μkcosθ)
a=9.8(sin20°−0.15cos20°)
a=9.8(0.342−0.15×0.940)
a=9.8(0.342−0.141)=9.8(0.201)
a=1.97 m/s2
(b) Speed at bottom:
Using v2=v02+2aL:
v2=0+2(1.97)(10)=39.4
v=6.28 m/s
(c) Energy dissipated:
Friction force:
fk=μkmgcosθ
Energy dissipated:
Efriction=fk
Efriction=69.1 J
Check with energy:
Height: h=Lsinθ=10(0.342)=3.42 m
ΔPE=mgh=(5.0)(9.8)(3.42)=168 J
KE=21mv2=
Efriction=ΔPE−KE= ✓
3Problem 3hard
❓ Question:
A 2.0 kg block sits on a 3.0 kg wedge (incline angle θ = 30°) that rests on a frictionless table. There is no friction between block and wedge. The block is released from rest. Find: (a) the acceleration of the wedge, (b) the acceleration of the block relative to the wedge, and (c) the normal force between block and wedge.
💡 Show Solution
Given:
m₁ = 2.0 kg (block)
m₂ = 3.0 kg (wedge)
θ = 30°
All surfaces frictionless
(a) Acceleration of wedge:
Let a₂ = acceleration of wedge (to right)
Let a₁ = acceleration of block relative to wedge (down incline)
For block, horizontal components:
m1a1x=Nsinθ
where a1x=a2−a1 (acceleration of block in lab frame)
For block, vertical components:
0=Ncosθ−m1g
From second equation:
N=cosθm1g
For wedge:
m2a2=−Nsinθ
Combining:
m1(a2−a1
m2a2=−cosθ
From wedge equation:
a2=−m2
a2=−3.019.6(0.577)=
a2=3.77 m/s2 (to left)
(b) Acceleration relative to wedge:
From block equation:
a2−a1cosθ=gtanθ
−3.77−a1(0.866)=(9.8)(0.577)=5.65
a1=0.866−3.77−5.65=
a1=10.9 m/s2 (down incline)
(c) Normal force:
N=cosθm1
N=0.86619.6
N=22.6 N
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