Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 6 - Dynamics I: Motion Along a Line - Exercises and Problems - Page 163: 46

Answer

Yes, you can move it if it was already running on the ramp, but you can not move it if it stopped on the ramp.

Work Step by Step

To find out if your maximum force can move the box or not, we need to find the static friction force between the box and the ramp if you are going to push it horizontally. $$f_{s,max}=\mu_sF_n$$ and since the box is on the ground now, its own weight is equal to the normal force from the ground. Thus, $$f_{s,max}=\mu_sm_{box}g=0.9\cdot 100\cdot 9.8=\bf 882\;\rm N$$ This means that the maximum force needed to move the box in the horizontal direction is less than your maximum force. So, yes, you can move the box. Now let's assume that you will push the box with your maximum force while it is on the ramp. We can choose the direction which is parallel to the ramp and up to be our positive $x$-direction and we can assume that you will push the box parallel to the ramp as well, see the figures below. In this case, your force must be greater than the weight component of the box plus the static friction force. Let's assume that the box will be on the verge of sliding up the ramp, thus the net force exerted on it is still zero. $$\sum F_x=F_{you}-m_{box}g\sin20^\circ-f_{s,max}=0$$ So, the needed force from you is given by $$F_{you}=m_{box}g\sin20^\circ+f_{s,max}$$ Thus, $$F_{you}=m_{box}g\sin20^\circ+\mu_s F_n \tag 1 $$ And the net force exerted on it in the $y$-direction is also zero. $$\sum F_y=F_n-m_{box}g\cos20^\circ=0$$ Hence, $$F_n=m_{box}g\cos20^\circ$$ Plugging into (1); $$F_{you}=m_{box}g\sin20^\circ+\mu_s m_{box}g\cos20^\circ $$ $$F_{you}=m_{box}g\left[\sin20^\circ+\mu_s \cos20^\circ \right]\tag 2$$ $$F_{you}=100\cdot 9.8\left[\sin20^\circ+0.9\cos20^\circ \right]=\bf 1164\;\rm N$$ Thus, the force needed to move the box on the ramp when it is at rest is greater than your maximum force. Therefore, you can not push it from rest on the ramp but you can push it if the ramp was horizontal. Now we need to see if your force can push it up the ramp if it was initially moving on the ramp which means that the opposing force is not the static friction force but the kinetic friction force. We can use (2) by replacing $\mu_s$ by $\mu_k$; $$F_{you}=m_{box}g\left[\sin20^\circ+\mu_k \cos20^\circ \right] $$ $$F_{you}=100\cdot 9.8\left[\sin20^\circ+0.6\cos20^\circ \right]=\bf 888\;\rm N$$ Therefore, yes, you can move it if it was already running on the ramp, but you can not move it if it stopped on the ramp.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.