Question

A 52 N sled is pulled across a cement sidewalk at constant speed. A horizontal force of 36 N is exerted. What is the coefficient of sliding friction between the sidewalk and the metal runners of the sled?

Answer 1

Answer:

μ = 0.692

Explanation:

In order to solve this problem, we must make a free body diagram and include the respective forces acting on the body. Similarly, deduce the respective equations according to the conditions of the problem and the directions of the forces.

Attached is an image with the respective forces:

A summation of forces on the Y-axis is performed equal to zero, in order to determine the normal force N. this summation is equal to zero since there is no movement on the Y-axis.

Since the body moves at a constant speed, there is no acceleration so the sum of forces on the X-axis must be equal to zero.

The frictional force is defined as the product of the coefficient of friction by the normal force. In this way, we can calculate the coefficient of friction.

The process of solving this problem can be seen in the attached image.