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A-Level Mechanics Help

Hi,
I'm a bit stuck on this question and would be great if someone can tell me where to start.
A mass of 5 kg is placed on a rough plane inclined at 25° to the horizontal. A force of 15 N, acting parallel to the plane, can just prevent the mass of 5 kg from sliding down the plane. The force is increased until the mass is on the point of sliding up the plane.
1)Find new value of this force
2)Find the coefficient of friction
Reply 1
Original post by aleenapaul
Hi,
I'm a bit stuck on this question and would be great if someone can tell me where to start.
A mass of 5 kg is placed on a rough plane inclined at 25° to the horizontal. A force of 15 N, acting parallel to the plane, can just prevent the mass of 5 kg from sliding down the plane. The force is increased until the mass is on the point of sliding up the plane.
1)Find new value of this force
2)Find the coefficient of friction


First thing is generally to draw a forces diagram with gravity, friction, reaction and the horizontal force on.
Post that once you've tried?
Reply 2
Original post by mqb2766
First thing is generally to draw a forces diagram with gravity, friction, reaction and the horizontal force on.
Post that once you've tried?

15868731878056469998004224056905.jpg
Resolve the forces parallel and perpendicular to the plane but first fix your weight vector it's bonkers
Reply 4
* Your 5g is a bit off (must be vertical)?
Now resolve along the plane and perpendicular to the plane (or horizontally and vertically)
Reply 5
Original post by Meowstic
Resolve the forces parallel and perpendicular to the plane but first fix your weight vector it's bonkers

lol ok I'm terrible at drawing diagrams
Original post by aleenapaul
lol ok I'm terrible at drawing diagrams

The weight is vertical and you want to resolve it perpendicular and parallel to the plane
Reply 7
Original post by mqb2766
* Your 5g is a bit off (must be vertical)?
Now resolve along the plane and perpendicular to the plane (or horizontally and vertically)

Resolving Vertically: R- 5gcos25=0
Resolving Horizontally: T-F-5gsin25 (but I don't know what to equate this to?)
*the T is the 'new force'
Reply 8
Original post by aleenapaul
Resolving Vertically: R- 5gcos25=0
Resolving Horizontally: T-F-5gsin25 (but I don't know what to equate this to?)
*the T is the 'new force'

The system is in equilibrium so the sum of forces must be zero.
Also its better to say along the plane and perpendicular, rather than horizontal and vertical as they would imply different directions.
(edited 4 years ago)
Reply 9
Original post by mqb2766
The system is in equilibrium so the sum of forces must be zero.

ok...so how can you find the new force if there are 2 variables(T and F)
Original post by aleenapaul
Resolving Vertically: R- 5gcos25=0
Resolving Horizontally: T-F-5gsin25 (but I don't know what to equate this to?)
*the T is the 'new force'

5gcos25?
Original post by aleenapaul
ok...so how can you find the new force if there are 2 variables(T and F)

You're told T = 15 N will prevent the mass moving down, so find F.
Then flip its sign to find T so that the mass is almost moving up.
(edited 4 years ago)
You need to be able to draw the diagram properly. The force acting downwards should be a vertical straight line, the normal is correctly drawn.
Original post by mqb2766
You're told T = 15 N will prevent the mass moving down, so find F.
Then flip its sign to find T so that the mass is almost moving up.

so the new force is 20.7N (3sf)
Original post by aleenapaul
so the new force is 20.7N (3sf)

How?
Original post by mqb2766
How?

15=F+5gsin25
F=15-5gsin25=-5.71(3sf)
You said to flip the sign so then I added 5.71 to 15=20.7N
Original post by aleenapaul
15=F+5gsin25
F=15-5gsin25=-5.71(3sf)
You said to flip the sign so then I added 5.71 to 15=20.7N

Flip the sign of F in the forces equation as friction is now acting in the opposite direction, then solve for T.
Original post by mqb2766
Flip the sign of F in the forces equation as friction is now acting in the opposite direction, then solve for T.

oh ok thanks :smile:
Reply 18
Original post by aleenapaul
oh ok thanks :smile:


Was it correct
Reply 19
Original post by H4R
Was it correct

this thread is 3 years old and that poster hasn't been on TSR since 2020, so you may be disappointed :smile:

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