Question

You are pushing a 55 kg refrigerator horizontally across a carpeted floor using an applied force of 250 N. The coefficient of friction between the refrigerator and the carpet is 0.62. What is the frictional force acting on the refrigerator and does the refrigerator move?

a) 155 N, no the refrigerator does not move because frictional force is greater than applied force.
b) 334.18 N, no the refrigerator does not move because frictional force is greater than applied force.
c) 155 N, yes the refrigerator does move because frictional force is smaller than applied force.
d) 334.18 N, yes the refrigerator does move because frictional force is smaller than applied force.

Answer 1

The frictional force acting on the refrigerator is b) 334.18 N which is greater than the applied force of 250 N, therefore the refrigerator does not move.

Step-by-step explanation:

The problem is asking us to calculate the frictional force acting on the refrigerator and whether it will move given a specific applied force and coefficient of friction. To find the frictional force, we use the formula:

Frictional Force (f) = coefficient of friction (μ) × normal force (N)

Since the refrigerator is on a horizontal surface, the normal force is equal to its weight (mg), which is:

N = 55 kg × 9.8 m/s² = 539 N

Now, we can calculate:

f = μ × N = 0.62 × 539 N = 334.18 N

Since the applied force is 250 N which is less than the frictional force of 334.18 N, the refrigerator does not move. Therefore, the correct answer is (b) 334.18 N, no the refrigerator does not move because the frictional force is greater than the applied force.