Question

A box of books weighing 215 N moves at a constant velocity across the floor when the box is pushed with a force of 135 N exerted downward at an angle of 30° with the horizontal. Find μk between the box and the floor.

Answer 1

μk ≈ 0.414

Step-by-step explanation:

The normal force at the box/floor interface is the sum of the weight and the vertical component of the applied force:

normal force = 215 N + (135 N)sin(30°) = 282.5 N

The tangential force is the horizontal component of the applied force:

tangential force = (135 N)cos(30°) ≈ 116.91 N

Then the coefficient of friction is ...

μk = (tangential force)/(normal force) = (116.91 N)/(282.5 N)

μk ≈ 0.414