Question

A 50.0 kg boy sits on a 40.0 kg sled which is resting on the ice of a pond (zero coefficient of friction between sled and ice). The coefficient of static friction between the boy and the sled is 0.30. Another boy pushes the sled with a horizontal force. Take the value of the acceleration due to gravity as g=9.8 m/s2. Calculate the maximum force that can be applied without causing the boy to slide off the end of sled: _____________

Answer 1

The maximum force that can be applied without causing the boy to slide off the end of the sled is 147 N.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the maximum force that can be applied without causing the boy to slide off the end of the sled, we need to consider the force of static friction.

The maximum force of static friction can be calculated using the equation:

Frictional force = coefficient of static friction * Normal force

The normal force is equal to the weight acting downward, which can be calculated using:

Normal force = mass of boy * acceleration due to gravity

Substituting the given values, we have:

Normal force = 50.0 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 = 490 N

Frictional force = 0.30 * 490 N = 147 N

Therefore, the maximum force that can be applied without causing the boy to slide off the end of the sled is 147 N.