Question

Suppose a 48-N sled is resting on packed snow. The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.10. If a person weighing 660 N sits on the sled, what force is needed to pull the sled across the snow at constant speed?

Answer 1

Assume the snow is uniform, and horizontal.

Given:

coefficient of kinetic friction = 0.10 = muK

weight of sled = 48 N

weight of rider = 660 N

normal force on of sled with rider = 48+660 N = 708 N = N

Force required to maintain a uniform speed

= coefficient of kinetic friction * normal force

= muK * N

= 0.10 * 708 N

=70.8 N

Note: it takes more than 70.8 N to start the sled in motion, because static friction is in general greater than kinetic friction.