Finding the static friction force

In summary, the conversation discusses a scenario where a person is standing on a bathroom scale while riding down an icy hill. The person and scale have a combined mass of 63 kg and the slope of the hill is 20°. The topic of frictional forces and how they affect the person's acceleration down the slope is also brought up. Ultimately, it is determined that the force of static friction on the person is 0 and Newton's second law should be used to calculate the acceleration of the person.
  • #1
gijungkim
50
2

Homework Statement


A 60-kg person rides down an icy hill of 20° slope while standing on a 3.0-kg flat-bottomed bathroom scale. Assume there is no frictional force between the bottom of the scale and the hill. The static friction force the scale exerts on the person is

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I got 211 but the answer is 0 where did I do wrong?
 

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  • #2
You have left out a force on the person that contributes to the acceleration of the person down the slope.

You have assumed that the force of static friction on the person is ##F_f =\mu N##. But this equation is for the maximum possible static friction force. You cannot assume that the static friction force on the person is at it's maximum possible value. In fact, you will discover that ##F_f =0##.

So, set up Newton's second law for the motion of the person down the slope making sure you include all forces acting on the person.
 
  • #3
Not sure how you got 211 but if we agree the person-sled system is accelerating gsin20 then every part of the system must also be accelerating the same?
 
  • #4
TSny said:
You have left out a force on the person that contributes to the acceleration of the person down the slope.

You have assumed that the force of static friction on the person is ##F_f =\mu N##. But this equation is for the maximum possible static friction force. You cannot assume that the static friction force on the person is at it's maximum possible value. In fact, you will discover that ##F_f =0##.

So, set up Newton's second law for the motion of the person down the slope making sure you include all forces acting on the person.
Oh I got it now! Thank you so much!
 

FAQ: Finding the static friction force

What is static friction force?

Static friction force is a force that resists the motion of an object when it is at rest on a surface. It is the force that must be overcome in order for the object to start moving.

How is static friction force different from kinetic friction force?

Static friction force only applies to objects that are at rest, while kinetic friction force applies to objects that are already in motion. Static friction force is typically greater than kinetic friction force.

What factors affect the magnitude of static friction force?

The magnitude of static friction force is affected by the type of surface the object is on, the weight of the object, and the coefficient of static friction between the two surfaces.

How do you calculate the static friction force?

The formula for static friction force is Fs = μs * N, where Fs is the static friction force, μs is the coefficient of static friction, and N is the normal force exerted on the object by the surface.

What is the maximum value of static friction force?

The maximum value of static friction force is equal to the product of the coefficient of static friction and the normal force. It is the maximum force that can be applied to an object before it starts to move.

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