Chapter : Problem 7
Calculus: Early Transcendentals 9
Suppose a block of mass m is placed on an inclined plane, as shown in the figure. The block's descent down the plane is slowed by friction; if \(\theta\) is not too large, friction will prevent the block from moving at all. The forces acting on the block are the weight W, where | W | = mg (g is the acceleration due to gravity); the normal force \(\mathbf{N}\) (the normal component of the reactionary force of the plane on the block), where | N | = n; and the force F due to friction, which acts parallel to the inclined plane, opposing the direction of motion. If the block is at rest and \(\theta\) is increased, | F | must also increase until ultimately | F | reaches its maximum, beyond which the block begins to slide. At this angle \(\theta_{s}\) it has been observed that | F | is proportional to n. Thus, when | F | is maximal, we can say that \(|\mathbf{F}|=\mu_{s} n\), where \(\mu_{s}\) is called the coefficient of static friction and depends on the materials that are in contact.
(a) Observe that N + F + W = 0 and deduce that \(\mu_{s}=\tan \theta_{s}\).
(b) Suppose that, for \(\theta>\theta_{s}\), an additional outside force H is applied to the block, horizontally from the left, and let | H | = h. If h is small, the block may still slide down the plane; if h is large enough, the block will move up the plane. Let \(h_{\min }\) be the smallest value of h that allows the block to remain motionless (so that | F | is maximal).
By choosing the coordinate axes so that F lies along the x-axis, resolve each force into components parallel and perpendicular to the inclined plane and show that
\(h_{\min } \sin \ \theta+m g \cos \ \theta=n\) and \(h_{\min } \cos \ \theta+\mu_{s} n=m g \sin \ \theta\)
(c) Show that \(h_{\min }=m g \tan \left(\theta-\theta_{s}\right)\)
Does this equation seem reasonable? Does it make sense for \(\theta=\theta_{s}\) Does it make sense as \(\theta \rightarrow 90^{\circ}\)? Explain.
(d) Let \(h_{m a x}\) be the largest value of h that allows the block to remain motionless. (In which direction is F heading?) Show that
\(h_{\max }=m g \tan \left(\theta+\theta_{s}\right)\)
Does this equation seem reasonable? Explain.
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