AP Physics C: Mechanics : Friction and Normal Force

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Physics C: Mechanics

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Example Questions

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Example Question #11 : Friction And Normal Force

A truck driver is making a delivery. He takes a 287kg box out of his semi-truck by having it slide down a 33o ramp that is 5.5m long. To ensure that the box doesn't accelerate down the ramp, the driver pushes back on it so that the box's constant speed is . If the coefficient of friction is 0.4, calculate the work done by the frictional force.

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Correct answer:

Explanation:

We can calculate the work done by friction by using .

It is just the product of the friction force and the length of the ramp. Rewrite work as .

Since this problem involves a box sliding down an incline, the normal force is .

Work is now written as the equation below.

We know the following information from the question.

using these values, we can calculate work from our equation.

Example Question #1 : Friction

A string connected to a box sitting on the floor is used to apply a
force on the box as shown. The string is inclined at an angle of 30°
above the horizontal, the box has a mass of 15 kg, and the tension
in the string is 40 N. The box is at rest, but on the verge of slipping.
What is the coefficient of static friction between the box and the
floor?

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Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, we know that the tension on the string is  at an angle of  degrees from the horizontal. We must find the x and y components of the tension force.

Next, we must find the normal force acting on the block. The normal force of the block itself is , but there is a string pulling on it. We must subtract the y component of tension to get the final normal force

Next, we know that the block is being pulled to the right, and the frictional force is acting in the opposite direction. So we get the equation:

Example Question #1 : Friction

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Normal

Example Question #1 : Friction

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Explanation:

Normal

Example Question #11 : Friction And Normal Force

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Explanation:

Normal

Example Question #1 : Friction

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Normalwrope

Example Question #1 : Friction

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Normalwrope

Example Question #11 : Friction And Normal Force

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Explanation:

Normal

Example Question #11 : Forces

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Normal

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