Question

A force equal to 500 N is required to barely move a 100 kg mass on a horizontal surface. Find the static friction coefficient between the object and the surface. Take g=9.8 ms^2.

Answer 1

The maximum possible force of static friction between two surfaces is given by:

F = μN

F = max friction force, μ = coefficient of static friction, N = normal force

The normal force N equals the object's weight:

N = mg

m = mass, g = gravitational acceleration

Make a substitution:

F = μmg

Given values:

F = 500N, m = 100kg, g = 9.8m/s²

Plug in and solve for μ:

500 = μ(100)(9.8)

μ = 0.51