Question

A force of 150 N accelerates a 25 kg wooden chair across a wood floor at 4.3 m/s2 . How big is the frictional force on the block? What is the coefficient of friction between the chair and floor?

Answer 1

We can first calculate the net force using the given information.

By Newton's second law, F(net) = ma:

F(net) = 25 * 4.3 = 107.5

We can now calculate the frictional force, f, which is working against the applied force, F(app) (this is why the net force is a bit lower):

f = F(net) - F(app) = 150 - 107.5 = 42.5 N

Now we can calculate the coefficient of friction, u, using the normal force, F(N):

f = uF(n) --> u = f/F(N)
u = 42.5/[25(9.8)]
u = 0.17