A 24.5-kg sled is being pulled across a horizontal surface at a constant velocity. The pulling force has a magnitude of 87.5 N and is directed at an angle of 30.0° above the horizontal. Determine the coefficient of kinetic friction.
µk=
To determine the coefficient of kinetic friction, we can use the following equation:
fk = µk * N
Where fk is the force of kinetic friction, µk is the coefficient of kinetic friction, and N is the normal force.
In this case, since the sled is being pulled across a horizontal surface at a constant velocity, we know that the force of kinetic friction is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the pulling force. Therefore, fk = 87.5 N.
The normal force, N, can be calculated using the equation:
N = mg
Where m is the mass of the sled and g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2).
Given that the mass of the sled is 24.5 kg, we can calculate the normal force as:
N = (24.5 kg) * (9.8 m/s^2) = 240.1 N
Substituting the values into the equation fk = µk * N, we can solve for µk:
87.5 N = µk * 240.1 N
µk = 87.5 N / 240.1 N
µk ≈ 0.364
Therefore, the coefficient of kinetic friction is approximately 0.364.