Chapter 6, Problem 8A

Suppose you exert a horizontal push on a crate that rests on a level floor, and it doesn’t move. How much friction acts compared with your push?

To determine

The amount of friction acting on a crate as compared to the push.

Answer to Problem 8A

It is of same magnitude as that of the push.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The friction is force which acts on a material that are in contact and acts in a direction opposite to that of motion of the object.

Now, if one is trying to give a horizontal push to a crate kept on a level floor and it does not move, then it means that the net force acting on the crate is zero. Thus, the friction force acting on a crate is exactly balanced by the horizontal push exerted on the crate.

Conclusion:

Hence, the friction force acting on a crate is of the same magnitude as that of the push exerted on the crate.