Question

A boy takes hold of a rope to pull a wagon (m = 50 kg) on a surface with a static coefficient of friction μS = 0.25. Calculate the force (in newtons) that would need to be applied to the rope to just start the wagon moving.

Answer 1

Answer:

The force that would be applied on the rope just to start moving the wagon is 122 N

Explanation:

Frictional force opposes motion between two surfaces in contact. It is the force that must be applied before a body starts to move. Static friction  opposes the motion of two bodies that are in contact but are not moving. The magnitude of static friction to overcome for the body to move  can be calculated using equation 1.

F = μ x mg .............................. 1

where F is the frictional force;

          μ is the coefficient of friction ( μs, in this case, static friction);

          m  is mass of the object and;

          g is the acceleration due to gravity( a constant equal to 9.81 m/$s^{2}$)

from the equation we are provide with;

       μs  = 0.25

       m = 50 kg

       g =  9.81 m/$s^{2}$

      F =?

Using equation 1

F = 0.25 x 50 kg x  9.81 m/$s^{2}$

F = 122.63 N  

Therefore a force of 122 N must be applied to the rope just to start the wagon.

Answer 2

Explanation:

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