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Revision as of 01:51, 14 August 2011

This article discusses a scenario/arrangement whose statics/dynamics/kinematics can be understood using the ideas of classical mechanics.
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The scenario

Suppose a block rests on a fixed horizontal floor. The limiting coefficient of static friction between and the floor is and the coefficient of kinetic friction is . A force is applied on the block in a diagonal direction at an angle with the horizontal. The questions are as follows:

  • For a given angle , what is the minimum magnitude of force needed to get the block to start sliding, and how is the acceleration of the block given as a function of ?
  • For what value of is the minimum magnitude of force needed to get the block to start sliding as low as possible, and what is this minimum magnitude of force?
  • For what value of is the minimum magnitude of force needed to get the block to keep sliding as low as possible, and what is this minimum magnitude of force?

Basic components of force diagram

Force (letter) Nature of force Condition for existence Magnitude Direction
external force being applied given to us that it's being applied angle with horizontal. The horizontal component is and the vertical component is .
gravitational force unconditional vertical, downward
normal force assuming that , otherwise the block will lift off the floor. vertical, upward
static friction no sliding horizontal, opposite to horizontal component of
kinetic friction sliding horizontal, opposite to direction of slipping. Assuming initially at rest, direction of slipping = horizontal component of , so this is opposite to horizontal component of .