Question

A physics major is cooking breakfast when he notices that the frictional force between the steel spatula and the Oiled Steel frying pan is only 0.200 N. Knowing the coefficient of kinetic friction between the two materials (0.03), he quickly calculates the normal force. What is it (in N)?

Answer 1

Answer:

N  = 6.67 N

Explanation:

The frictional or frictional force is a force that arises from the contact of two bodies and opposes movement.

The friction is due to imperfections and roughness, mainly microscopic, that exist on the surfaces of the bodies. Upon contact, these roughnesses engage with each other making movement difficult. To minimize the effect of friction, either the surfaces are polished or lubricated, since the oil fills the imperfections, preventing them from snagging.

As the frictional force depends on the materials and the force exerted on one another, its magnitude is obtained by the following expression:

f = μ*N    Formula (1)

where:  

f is the friction force  (N)

μ is the coefficient of friction

N is the normal force (N)

Data

f = 0.2 N : frictional force between the steel spatula and the Oiled Steel frying pan

μ = 0.03 :coefficient of kinetic friction between the two materials

Calculating of normal force

We replace data in the formula (1)

f = μ*N  

0.2  = 0.03*N  

N  = 0.2 / 0.03

N  = 6.67 N