Question

a horizontal force of 50 N is to be applied to a 10 kg slab that is initially stationary on a frictionless floor, to accelerate the slab. A 5 kg block lies on top of the slab; the coefficient of friction ì between the block and the slab is not known, and the block might slip. Considering this possibility, what is the minimum magnitude of the slab’s acceleration a

Answer 1

Answer

given,                                

horizontal force = 50 N              

mass of the slab = 10 kg                        

block mass = 5 kg on top of slab                                    

when there is no slipping the coefficient of friction is maximum

$a_{slab}=\dfrac{F}{m_{slab}+m_{block}}$

$a_{slab}=\dfrac{50}{10+5}$      

$a_{slab}=3.33\ m/s^2$        

when slipping occur coefficient of friction

$a_{slab}=\dfrac{F}{m_{slab}}$

$a_{slab}=\dfrac{50}{5}$

$a_{slab}=10\ m/s^2$