A horizontal force of 100 N is required to push a bookcase across a floor at a constant velocity. How much is the friction force that acts on the sliding bookcase?
constant velocity means no acceleration.
So the friction force must exactly balance the pushing force.
To find the friction force that acts on the sliding bookcase, we first need to understand the concept of equilibrium. Equilibrium occurs when the net force acting on an object is equal to zero. In this case, if the bookcase is moving at a constant velocity, it means that the forces acting on it are balanced.
In this scenario, the horizontal force required to push the bookcase is 100 N. This force is the external force applied to overcome the friction force. Therefore, the friction force must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the applied force to maintain equilibrium.
So, the friction force acting on the sliding bookcase is also 100 N, but it acts in the opposite direction to the applied force.
To summarize:
- The applied force to push the bookcase horizontally is 100 N.
- The friction force acting on the bookcase is also 100 N.
- The friction force opposes the applied force, resulting in a balanced net force of zero and allowing the bookcase to move at a constant velocity.