The coefficient of kinetic friction between a refrigerator (mass 93 kg) and the floor is 0.12, and the coefficient of static friction is 0.35. If you apply the minimum force needed to get the refrigerator to move, what will the acceleration then be?
____ m/s2
To find the acceleration of the refrigerator, we need to consider the forces acting on it. When the refrigerator is at rest, the opposing force is the force of static friction. When the refrigerator is in motion, the opposing force is the force of kinetic friction.
Since we are looking for the minimum force needed to get the refrigerator to move, we need to determine the maximum force of static friction that can be overcome. The force of static friction can be calculated using the equation:
Fs ≤ μs × N
Where Fs is the force of static friction, μs is the coefficient of static friction, and N is the normal force.
In this case, the normal force is equal to the weight of the refrigerator, which can be calculated using the equation:
N = m × g
Where m is the mass of the refrigerator and g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s²).
N = 93 kg × 9.8 m/s²
N = 911.4 N
Now we can calculate the maximum force of static friction:
Fs ≤ 0.35 × 911.4 N
Fs ≤ 318.99 N
Since the force applied is the minimum force needed to overcome static friction, it will be equal to the force of static friction:
Fapplied = Fs = 318.99 N
Finally, we can calculate the acceleration using Newton's second law of motion:
Fapplied = m × a
a = Fapplied / m
a = 318.99 N / 93 kg
a ≈ 3.43 m/s²
Therefore, the acceleration of the refrigerator when the minimum force needed to get it to move is applied is approximately 3.43 m/s².