A force of 20N applied parallel to the surface of a horizontal table,is just sufficient to make a block of mass 4kg move on the table.calculate the coefficient of friction between the block and the table.
The definition of the static coefficient of friction (ìs) tells you that
Force required to move = 20 N = M*g*ìs
Solve for ìs
To calculate the coefficient of friction between the block and the table, we first need to understand the concept of friction and how it relates to the force applied.
Friction is the resistance encountered by one object when moving against another object. It depends on the nature of the surfaces in contact and the normal force between them. The normal force is the force exerted by a surface to support the weight of an object resting on it.
In this case, the force of 20N applied parallel to the surface of the table is just sufficient to make the block move. We can assume that the force applied is equal to the force of friction acting in the opposite direction.
The formula for the force of friction can be expressed as:
force of friction = coefficient of friction × normal force
Since the block is on a horizontal table, the normal force acting on it is equal to its weight (mg), where m is the mass and g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²).
Thus, the equation becomes:
20N = coefficient of friction × (4kg × 9.8 m/s²)
Simplifying the equation:
20N = 39.2 coefficient of friction
Dividing both sides by 39.2, we find:
coefficient of friction = 20N / 39.2 ≈ 0.5102
Therefore, the coefficient of friction between the block and the table is approximately 0.5102.