11/15/2017 Problem 507 | Friction | Engineering Mechanics Review

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Problem 507 | Friction

Problem 507
The 2225-N block shown in Fig. P-507 is in contact with 45° incline. The coefficient of static friction is 0.25. Compute the value of the
horizontal force P necessary to (a) just start the block up the incline or (b) just prevent motion down the incline. (c) If P = 1780 N, what
is the amount and direction of the friction force?

Solution 507

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Part (a) – Force P to just start the block to move up the incline
The force P is pushing the block up the incline. The push is hard enough to overcome the maximum allowable friction causing an
impending upward motion.

ΣFy = 0

∘ ∘
N = 2225 cos 45 + P sin 45

N = 1573.31 + 0.7071P

f = μN = 0.25(1573.31 + 0.7071P )

f = 393.33 + 0.1768P

ΣFx = 0

∘ ∘
P cos 45 = f + 2225 sin 45

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11/15/2017 Problem 507 | Friction | Engineering Mechanics Review
∘ ∘
P cos 45 = (393.33 + 0.1768P ) + 2225 sin 45

0.5303P = 1966.64

P = 3708.55  N answer

Part (b) – Force P to just prevent the block to slide down the incline
In this case, the force P is not pushing the block upward, it simply supports the block not to slide downward. Therefore, the total force
that prevents the block from sliding down the plane is the sum of the component of P parallel to the incline and the upward friction
force.

ΣFy = 0

∘ ∘
N = 2225 cos 45 + P sin 45

N = 1573.31 + 0.7071P

f = μN = 0.25(1573.31 + 0.7071P )

f = 393.33 + 0.1768P

ΣFx = 0

∘ ∘
P cos 45 + f = 2225 sin 45

∘ ∘
P cos 45 + (393.33 + 0.1768P ) = 2225 sin 45

0.8839P = 1179.98

P = 1335  N answer

Part (c) – Force P = 1780 N

If Px = Wx, there will be no friction under the block. If Px > Wx, friction is going downward to help Wx balance the Px. If Px < Wx,
friction is going upward to help Px balance the Wx. In this problem, the maximum available friction is not utilized by the system.

∘
W x = 2225 sin 45 = 1573.31 N

∘
Px = 1780 cos 45 = 1258.65 N

Wx > Px, thus, f is upward.

ΣFx = 0

f + Px = W x

f + 1258.65 = 1573.31

f = 314.66 N upward answer

Tags: inclined axes incline minimum force dry friction angle of friction impending motion horizontal force
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