a student pushes on a desk with a force of 75 N causing it to begin sliding. if the desk weighs 400 N then calculate the coefficient of static friction between the desk and the floor
u = 75/400 = 0.1875
To calculate the coefficient of static friction between the desk and the floor, we need to use the given information of the force applied and the weight of the desk.
The coefficient of static friction (μ) is defined as the ratio of the maximum force of friction (F_friction) that can be exerted between two surfaces at rest to the normal force (F_normal) pressing the two surfaces together.
In this case, the force applied by the student is the maximum force of static friction that can be exerted before the desk starts sliding.
Step 1: Calculate the normal force (F_normal):
The normal force is the force exerted by a surface perpendicular to the object pressing against it. In this case, it is equal to the weight of the desk.
Given: Weight of the desk = 400 N
So, F_normal = 400 N
Step 2: Calculate the coefficient of static friction (μ):
The coefficient of static friction can be calculated using the formula:
μ = F_friction / F_normal
Given: Force applied by student = 75 N
Since the force applied by the student is equal to the maximum force of static friction, we have:
F_friction = 75 N
Therefore, the coefficient of static friction (μ) is:
μ = 75 N / 400 N
μ = 0.1875
So, the coefficient of static friction between the desk and the floor is approximately 0.1875.