You are pulling your luggage in an air port for an international flight. You know not to pack too much else they charge you extra fees so you weighted your luggage at home to be 21.6 kg. You exert a pull of 49 N in magnitude and at 22 degrees above the horizontal to ensure you can walk at a constant speed on the carpeted floor. What is the coefficient of friction between the caster wheels and the carpet?

College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
icon
Related questions
Topic Video
Question
### Physics Problem: Calculating the Coefficient of Friction

**Scenario Description:**

You are pulling your luggage in an airport for an international flight. Understanding the additional charges for excess weight, you decide to weigh your luggage at home and find it to be 21.6 kg. To move the luggage on the carpeted floor at a constant speed, you pull it with a force of 49 N, applied at an angle of 22 degrees above the horizontal plane.

**Problem Statement:**

Calculate the coefficient of friction between the caster wheels of your luggage and the carpet.

**Given Data:**

- Mass of the luggage (m): 21.6 kg
- Magnitude of applied force (F): 49 N
- Angle of applied force from horizontal (\(\theta\)): 22 degrees
- Acceleration due to gravity (g): 9.8 m/s²

**Required:**

Coefficient of friction (μ) between the caster wheels and the carpeted floor.

**Steps to Solve:**

1. **Compute the Normal Force (N):**
   The normal force in this context is less than the weight of the luggage because of the vertical component of the applied force.

   \[
   N = mg - F\sin(\theta)
   \]

   Where:
   - \( m \) is the mass of the luggage.
   - \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity.
   - \( F \) is the force exerted.
   - \( \theta \) is the angle of the applied force.

2. **Calculate the Frictional Force (f):**
   At constant speed, the frictional force equals the horizontal component of the applied force.

   \[
   f = F\cos(\theta)
   \]

   Where:
   - \( \cos(\theta) \) is the cosine of the angle at which the force is applied.

3. **Determine the Coefficient of Friction (μ):**
   \[
   \mu = \frac{f}{N}
   \]

This provides the coefficient of friction needed to maintain a constant speed.

**Visualization:**

Imagine a free-body diagram with:
- **Downwards:** Weight (\(mg\))
- **Upwards:** Normal force (N) and vertical component of pulling force (\(F\sin(\theta)\))
- **Horizontal:** Pulling force (\(F\cos(\theta)\)) and frictional force
Transcribed Image Text:### Physics Problem: Calculating the Coefficient of Friction **Scenario Description:** You are pulling your luggage in an airport for an international flight. Understanding the additional charges for excess weight, you decide to weigh your luggage at home and find it to be 21.6 kg. To move the luggage on the carpeted floor at a constant speed, you pull it with a force of 49 N, applied at an angle of 22 degrees above the horizontal plane. **Problem Statement:** Calculate the coefficient of friction between the caster wheels of your luggage and the carpet. **Given Data:** - Mass of the luggage (m): 21.6 kg - Magnitude of applied force (F): 49 N - Angle of applied force from horizontal (\(\theta\)): 22 degrees - Acceleration due to gravity (g): 9.8 m/s² **Required:** Coefficient of friction (μ) between the caster wheels and the carpeted floor. **Steps to Solve:** 1. **Compute the Normal Force (N):** The normal force in this context is less than the weight of the luggage because of the vertical component of the applied force. \[ N = mg - F\sin(\theta) \] Where: - \( m \) is the mass of the luggage. - \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity. - \( F \) is the force exerted. - \( \theta \) is the angle of the applied force. 2. **Calculate the Frictional Force (f):** At constant speed, the frictional force equals the horizontal component of the applied force. \[ f = F\cos(\theta) \] Where: - \( \cos(\theta) \) is the cosine of the angle at which the force is applied. 3. **Determine the Coefficient of Friction (μ):** \[ \mu = \frac{f}{N} \] This provides the coefficient of friction needed to maintain a constant speed. **Visualization:** Imagine a free-body diagram with: - **Downwards:** Weight (\(mg\)) - **Upwards:** Normal force (N) and vertical component of pulling force (\(F\sin(\theta)\)) - **Horizontal:** Pulling force (\(F\cos(\theta)\)) and frictional force
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Second law of motion
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781305952300
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
University Physics (14th Edition)
University Physics (14th Edition)
Physics
ISBN:
9780133969290
Author:
Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman
Publisher:
PEARSON
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Physics
ISBN:
9781107189638
Author:
Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics
ISBN:
9781337553278
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Physics
ISBN:
9780321820464
Author:
Edward E. Prather, Tim P. Slater, Jeff P. Adams, Gina Brissenden
Publisher:
Addison-Wesley
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…
Physics
ISBN:
9780134609034
Author:
Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus), Brian Jones, Stuart Field
Publisher:
PEARSON