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

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)=(F)/(m_(slab)+m_(block))`

`a_(slab)=(50)/(10+5)`

`a_(slab)=3.33\ m/s^2`

when slipping occur coefficient of friction

`a_(slab)=(F)/(m_(slab))`

`a_(slab)=(50)/(5)`

`a_(slab)=10\ m/s^2`