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Finding Force via Static Friction

  1. Oct 9, 2008 #1
    This is a problem from my Physics 101 class that I'm having trouble solving. I'm not sure what equations I'm supposed to use.

    To move a large crate across a rough floor, you push on it with a force F at an angle of 21° below the horizontal. Find the force necessary to start the crate moving, given that the mass of the crate is m = 34 kg and the coefficient of static friction between the crate and the floor is 0.48.

    2. Relevant equations
    N= mgcosѲ = 311.386N
    W= mgsinѲ = 119.53N
    fs,max = mews*N = 149.465N
    ΣF = N + fs + W

    3. The attempt at a solution
    Eek I don't know! That's why I'm posting!
  2. jcsd
  3. Oct 9, 2008 #2


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    Xthursday, welcome to the Forums! You have shown some attempt, but you must show more. This is a horizontal floor. The applied force (call it P) is at the angle noted. When summing forces acting on an object, you should look at the x and y components of the forces separately. In the x direction, you have the x component of the applied force acting right, and the friction force acting left. In the y direction, the weight acts straight down, the Normal force acts straight up,, and there is also the y component of the applied force acting down. Use Newton 1 in the y direction and in the x direction to solve for N and P. Please show your work.
  4. Oct 9, 2008 #3
    With some help from other examples I figured out which equation I need to be using:
    F= μs * mg / (cosѲ - μs sinѲ)
    F= (.48)*(34kg)*(9.81m/s²) / [(cos(21) -.48(sin(21))]
    F= 210.224 N

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