What must be the magnitude of the force

of static friction between the surface and the
bottom of the crate?

How are we supposed to come up with a number when you have provided no numerical data? You have not even described the situation.

Physics calculations require numbers in to get numbers out.

A 50N is applied horizontally to a crate that is on a flat surface. The crate slides with constant velocity in the same direction that the force is applied. The force of kinetic friction between the crate and the surface is:

To calculate the magnitude of the force of static friction between the surface and the bottom of the crate, you can use the following steps:

Step 1: Determine the coefficient of static friction (μs) between the crate and the surface. This value is usually given in the problem or can be looked up in a table.

Step 2: Identify the normal force (N) acting on the crate. The normal force is equal to the weight of the crate, which can be calculated by multiplying the mass of the crate (m) by the acceleration due to gravity (g).

Step 3: Multiply the coefficient of static friction (μs) by the normal force (N) to find the magnitude of the force of static friction (Fs). Mathematically, Fs = μs * N.

By following these steps, you can determine the magnitude of the force of static friction between the surface and the bottom of the crate.

To determine the magnitude of the force of static friction between the surface and the bottom of the crate, you need to consider the factors that influence static friction.

Static friction is a force that keeps an object at rest and prevents it from sliding across a surface. It arises due to the microscopically rough surfaces of two objects in contact, and the interlocking of their irregularities.

The magnitude of static friction can be calculated using the following equation:

Fs ≤ μs * N

Where:
- Fs is the force of static friction
- μs is the coefficient of static friction, which depends on the materials in contact
- N is the normal force, which is the force perpendicular to the surface exerted by the object on the surface

To find the magnitude of the force of static friction, you need to determine the coefficient of static friction and the normal force acting on the crate.

The coefficient of static friction (μs) can vary depending on the materials involved. It is typically given in problem statements or can be obtained from reference tables.

The normal force (N) is the force exerted by the surface on the crate perpendicular to the surface. In most cases, the normal force is equal to the weight of the object. It can be calculated as:

N = m * g

Where:
- m is the mass of the crate
- g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s²)

Once you have determined the coefficient of static friction and the normal force, you can use the equation Fs ≤ μs * N to find the magnitude of the force of static friction.