Friction Flashcards
(40 cards)
As a block of ice sits on a frictionless ramp, it experiences a force of gravity. Define the components of this force acting on the block. How is it different if the block was sitting on a flat surface?
A block sitting on a flat surface experiences only a downwards, vertical force from gravity. However, with the block sitting on a ramp, the block experiences force of gravity in both the vertical and horizontal direction. (note: vertical to the to the block sitting on the ramp and horizontal to the block on the ramp). These vectors can be isolated and defined by utilizing the angle at which the ramp sits at to the ground. This should be the same angle as the block sitting on the surface of the ramp, and therefore this is the angle you can use to do trig calculations
A 10kg block sits at a 30 degree angle on a ramp. What is the horizontal force of gravity to the block/ramp surface?
S = O/H -> O = S(H) O = sin(30) *98N O = ½*98N = 49N
If the vertical component of the force of gravity on a block sitting on a ramp at 30 degrees is 10 N, how much mass does the block have?
Fy = 10N Fh ? CAH - because the want to find the hypotenuse H = C/A H = 10N/cos(30) H = (10N) (√(3)/2) = 11.63N 11.63N = m*g m = 11.63N / 9.8m/s^2 = 1.19 kg
Cos (30)
√(3)/2
Sin (30)
½
After calculating the force of gravity and its components on a block sitting on a ramp, you conclude that the block should accelerate down the ramp. When you conduct this experience, this is not what happens. What is your error?
You did not calculate the force of friction! This would hinder the block from moving down a ramp.
You are asked to find all the forces acting on a block stationary on a ramp. You come up with a force of gravity components and force of friction. Are you done?
No, you forgot to calculate the normal force. This force is perpendicular to the plane at which the object rests on.
Assuming no friction, what would be the net force acting on a box on an incline angle at 30 degrees, with a weight of 10N?
A. 3
B. 5
C. 8
D. 15
Net force (Fnet) = F gravity, F normal, F acceleration F = m*a = 10kg
S1: Break Fg into x and y components. Know that the x and y components of the block are going to cancel out, therefore the x component is the main focus here
S2: Trig -> SOH -> sin(30)*10 = 5. Therefore the net force is 5 Newtons parallel to the the surface of the plane
As a block sits on a ramp, it experiences a force of gravity pushing against it. What force acts against the force of gravity’s component horizontal to the block? Why?
Force of friction acts against the parallel component. This is the component innate to the ramp and can prevent the object from sliding down.
The normal force of an object sitting on an inclined plane acts against what force?
The force of gravity component perpendicular to the object sitting on the ramp.
With an object accelerating constantly down a ramp, what specific force is the force of gravity’s component overcoming? What new force is experienced as a result of the acceleration?
The force of gravity’s horizontal component is overcoming the friction. With kinetic energy (due to acceleration), the object is experiencing kinetic friction (stationary friction is when the object is not moving).
When can we assume μk is equal to tan θ with an object on an inclined plane?
This can be assumed when the object is accelerating at a constant acceleration and velocity down the ramp.
What is one assumption you can always assume about friction and object motion?
Force of friction will always act opposite to the motion!
How much force do you have to apply to a stationary object resting on an incline ramp experiencing a 98 N from the force of gravity in order for the object to start moving?
In order to calculate this, you have to multiply the coefficient of the static force by the normal force in order to find the budging force
μm = Budging force/normal force
What is the coefficient of static friction? What is it dependent on?
This is calculation of the budging force / normal force. It is experimentally found and is based on material composition
You have Angelie push a boulder up a hill. In the process of pushing the rock until it budges and starts moving, what is happening to the force of friction against the push?
The force of friction increases with increasing force you add onto the object. This process occurs until the object has enough energy to move. When it moves, the force overcomes the static force of friction.
You are calculating the forces acting on a block sliding down a ramp. What are the forces at play?
Force of gravity x and y components, force normal, and kinetic friction (this will be going against the direction of the motion to prevent acceleration)
An object is moving 5 m/s down a ramp. Is it following Newton’s Law of Inertia?
Yes, but can depend with additional information. Moving 5 m/s down a ramp implies the velocity is constant and therefore may not have an acceleration and therefore is following Newton’s law. This is possible because accounting for kinetic friction prevents the object from accelerating. Newton’s law states it has to accelerate.
When does kinetic friction play a role in a scenario?
Kinetic friction acts to prevent the object from accelerating. This allows the object to still follow Newton’s first law and therefore the object can move at a constant velocity.
What is the coefficient of kinetic friction if the force of gravity on the object is 98 N on a 30 degree ramp and the object is sliding at a constant velocity down the ramp?
||F_friction|| / ||normal force||
49N / 49N √(3)
= 1/√(3) = 0.58
Compare and contrast μ_k and μ_s.
Both are coefficients of friction, kinetic and static respectively. Both play a role in maintaining Newton’s first law, however when the force on the object is greater than the coefficients, Newton’s first law will break. μ_k = ||F_friction|| / ||normal force|| and is active when the object is in motion. μ_s = || Budge Force|| / || normal force||
What is one rule of thumb in regards to the relationship of μ_k and μ_s.
μ_k is less than μ_s. Never see a situation where μ_s is lower than μ_k. But can see scenarios where μ_k is lower than μ_s or equal to one another. Once something is moving, for some reason, friction is less potent than when the object is stationary
Why is it harder to imagine why differences exist between the coefficient of kinetic friction and static friction on a macroscopic level?
Macroscopically doesn’t entail how the two objects are intimately interacting, therefore theorizing why the difference exists makes no sense in this school of thought.
Though this is an active topic of research, what is one popular theory about why coefficients of kinetic and static friction differs?
From the microscopic level, it is theorized that when an object is at rest on a surface, the atoms of both settle in between the empty spaces of each other. Therefore in order to get the object to accelerate from stationary requires a lot more energy to break not only the interactions between the surface and object, but it also needs to break off atoms in between the spaces. Whereas, the energy required to accelerate a moving object is only necessary to overcome the interactions between the moving object and surface