Question

A 50 kg box is at rest on a horizontal surface. When an 80 N force is applied to the box, it slides on the surface with a constant velocity. How will the force of friction change if an identical box is placed on top of the 50 kg box

Answer 1

As the box is moving with a constant velocity, the two forces acting on the box are canceling each other.

Then friction force = 80 Newtons but in the opposite direction.

Friction force = Mu * Normal force exerted by ground = Mu * weight of box
So we find Mu.
Mu = coefficient of friction between box and horizontal surface
= Force of friction / weight = 80 / 50 * 9.81 = 0.163

When an identical box is placed on top, the force of friction is
= Mu * total weight = 0.163 * (50+50) * 9.81 = 159.9 Newtons