Once a 28 kg crate is in motion on a horizontal
floor, a horizontal force of 51 N keeps the crate
moving with a constant velocity.
The acceleration of gravity is 9.81 m/s.
What is µk, the coefficient of kinetic friction, between the crate and the floor
To find the coefficient of kinetic friction (μk) between the crate and the floor, you can use the following steps:
1. Determine the force acting on the crate: Since the crate is moving with a constant velocity, we know that the force of friction (Ff) is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the applied force (Fa), which is 51 N.
2. Calculate the force of gravity: The force of gravity (Fg) can be found by multiplying the mass of the crate (m) by the acceleration due to gravity (g): Fg = m * g.
Fg = (28 kg) * (9.81 m/s^2)
Fg = 274.68 N
3. Calculate the coefficient of kinetic friction: The coefficient of kinetic friction is defined as the ratio of the force of friction to the normal force (Fn) between the crate and the floor: μk = Ff / Fn.
Since the crate is on a horizontal floor, the normal force is equal in magnitude to the force of gravity: Fn = Fg.
Therefore, μk = Ff / Fn = Ff / Fg.
μk = (51 N) / (274.68 N)
μk ≈ 0.1865
So, the coefficient of kinetic friction (μk) between the crate and the floor is approximately 0.1865.