Math Problem Statement

Two objects are connected by a light string that passes over a frictionless pulley as shown in the figure below. m1 = 9.24 kg, m2 = 7.70 kg, and 𝜑 = 54°. When released from rest, m1 accelerates downward at 1.391 m/s2. For this to happen, the coefficient of kinetic friction must be 0.134

Incorrect: Your answer is incorrect. , and to even begin sliding in the first place the coefficient of static friction must be less Correct: Your answer is correct. than 1.134

Incorrect: Your answer is incorrect. . Use g=9.8 m/s2.

Solution

This problem involves two masses connected by a string passing over a frictionless pulley, with one mass on an incline. We need to find the coefficient of kinetic friction μk\mu_k and verify the coefficient of static friction μs\mu_s.

Given:

  • m1=9.24kgm_1 = 9.24 \, \text{kg}
  • m2=7.70kgm_2 = 7.70 \, \text{kg}
  • Incline angle ϕ=54\phi = 54^\circ
  • Acceleration a=1.391m/s2a = 1.391 \, \text{m/s}^2
  • Gravitational acceleration g=9.8m/s2g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2

Step 1: Determine the forces on each mass

For m1m_1 (hanging mass):

The forces acting on m1m_1 are:

  • Weight: m1gm_1 g
  • Tension in the string: TT

The equation of motion for m1m_1, accelerating downwards: m1gT=m1am_1 g - T = m_1 a

For m2m_2 (on the incline):

The forces acting on m2m_2 are:

  • Weight: m2gm_2 g
  • Normal force: NN
  • Tension in the string: TT
  • Kinetic friction force: fk=μkNf_k = \mu_k N

The components of the forces:

  • The gravitational force acting parallel to the incline: m2gsinϕm_2 g \sin \phi
  • The gravitational force acting perpendicular to the incline: m2gcosϕm_2 g \cos \phi

The equation of motion for m2m_2, accelerating upwards (along the incline): Tm2gsinϕfk=m2aT - m_2 g \sin \phi - f_k = m_2 a Substitute fk=μkNf_k = \mu_k N, where N=m2gcosϕN = m_2 g \cos \phi: Tm2gsinϕμkm2gcosϕ=m2aT - m_2 g \sin \phi - \mu_k m_2 g \cos \phi = m_2 a

Step 2: Solve for TT

From the equation for m1m_1: T=m1gm1aT = m_1 g - m_1 a Substitute the given values: T=9.24×9.89.24×1.391=90.55212.84377.709NT = 9.24 \times 9.8 - 9.24 \times 1.391 = 90.552 - 12.843 \approx 77.709 \, \text{N}

Step 3: Solve for μk\mu_k

Substitute TT into the equation for m2m_2: 77.7097.70×9.8×sin54μk×7.70×9.8×cos54=7.70×1.39177.709 - 7.70 \times 9.8 \times \sin 54^\circ - \mu_k \times 7.70 \times 9.8 \times \cos 54^\circ = 7.70 \times 1.391 First, calculate the trigonometric and other values:

  • sin540.809\sin 54^\circ \approx 0.809
  • cos540.587\cos 54^\circ \approx 0.587
  • 7.70×9.8×sin5461.0717.70 \times 9.8 \times \sin 54^\circ \approx 61.071
  • 7.70×9.8×cos5444.4137.70 \times 9.8 \times \cos 54^\circ \approx 44.413
  • 7.70×1.39110.7117.70 \times 1.391 \approx 10.711

Now substitute these into the equation: 77.70961.071μk×44.413=10.71177.709 - 61.071 - \mu_k \times 44.413 = 10.711 Simplify: 16.638μk×44.413=10.71116.638 - \mu_k \times 44.413 = 10.711 μk×44.413=16.63810.711=5.927\mu_k \times 44.413 = 16.638 - 10.711 = 5.927 μk=5.92744.4130.134\mu_k = \frac{5.927}{44.413} \approx 0.134

Step 4: Solve for the coefficient of static friction (μs\mu_s)

To prevent m2m_2 from sliding initially, the static friction must balance the forces along the incline. The maximum static friction force is given by: fs=μsN=μsm2gcosϕf_s = \mu_s N = \mu_s m_2 g \cos \phi Setting the maximum static friction equal to the parallel component of gravity: μsm2gcosϕ=m2gsinϕ\mu_s m_2 g \cos \phi = m_2 g \sin \phi μs=sinϕcosϕ=tanϕ\mu_s = \frac{\sin \phi}{\cos \phi} = \tan \phi μs=tan541.376\mu_s = \tan 54^\circ \approx 1.376

Thus, the coefficient of static friction must be less than 1.376 to allow sliding to begin.

Final Answers:

  • The coefficient of kinetic friction μk\mu_k is approximately 0.134.
  • The coefficient of static friction μs\mu_s is less than 1.376.

Would you like more details or have any questions?


Here are 5 related questions:

  1. How would increasing the angle of the incline affect the required kinetic friction coefficient?
  2. What happens if the frictionless pulley had friction?
  3. How would the system behave if m1m_1 was heavier than m2m_2?
  4. How is the normal force on m2m_2 related to the incline angle?
  5. How would the motion change if the pulley were not frictionless?

Tip: Always break down forces into components parallel and perpendicular to the incline when solving such problems.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Newton's Laws of Motion
Friction
Trigonometry in Physics
Tension in Strings

Formulas

T = m1 * g - m1 * a
T - m2 * g * sin(𝜑) - μk * m2 * g * cos(𝜑) = m2 * a
f_k = μ_k * N
f_s = μ_s * N = μ_s * m2 * g * cos(𝜑)
μ_s = tan(𝜑)

Theorems

Newton's Second Law
Laws of Friction (Kinetic and Static Friction)

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12