MECHANICS

V i s i o n E n g i n e e r i n g C l a s s e s

P
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Friction Problems
Type 1: Block Friction
1. A car of 1000 kg mass is to be parked on the same 10 incline year round. The static
coefficient of friction between the tires and the road varies between the extremes of
0.05 and 0.9. Is it always possible to park the car at this place? Assume that the car can
be modeled as a particle. (May 08- 5 marks)
Ans: NO
2. A 100 N force acts as shown on a 30.6 kg block on an inclined plane. The coefficient of
friction between the block and the plane are
S
= 0.25 and
K
= 0.20. Determine whether
the block is in equilibrium and find the value of friction force.






Ans: Block will slide down. F = 48 N
3. A support block is acted upon by two forces. Knowing that the coefficient of friction
between the block and incline are
S
= 0.35,
K
= 0.25, determine the force P required
i) to start the block moving up the plane. Ii) to keep it moving up. Iii) to prevent it from
sliding.





Ans: i) P=780.8 N, ii) P = 649 N, iii) P = 80 N.
MECHANICS

V i s i o n E n g i n e e r i n g C l a s s e s

P
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4. Determine the minimum value and the direction of force P required to cause motion of
a 100 kg block to impend upon a 30 plane. The coefficient of friction is 0.20. Assume
g=10m/sec
2
. P
W=100 x g


30

Ans: = 11.31, P = 660.13 N.
5. Determine the force P to cause motion to impend. Take masses of blocks A and Bas 9kg
and 4kg respectively and the coefficient of sliding friction as 0.25. The force P and the
rope are parallel to the inclined plane. Take g=10m/sec
2
. Ans: P= 3.145 N







6. Find the least value of P that will just start the systems of blocks moving to the right. The
coefficient of friction under each block is 0.3. Ans: P= 247.12 N






MECHANICS

V i s i o n E n g i n e e r i n g C l a s s e s

P
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7. Find the minimum weight W
B
if the weight W
A
= 20 kN is to be kept in equilibrium with
pin connected rod AB in horizontal position. Find also maximum value of W
B
for the
same purpose. Find therefore the range of values of axial force in the rod AB. (8 marks)






W
B (MIN)
= 4.511 kN, W
B (MAX)
= 26.365 kN, 6.766 kN (C) to 17.577kN (C)
8. Two blocks A (100 N) and B (150 N) are resting on ground. Coefficient of friction
between ground and block B is 0.10 and that between A and B is 0.30. Find the
minimum value of weight P in the pan so that motion occurs. Find whether B is
stationary w.r.to ground and A moves or B is stationary w.r.to A.





Ans: P
min
= 27.29 N, B is stationary w.r.to A.
9. Three blocks are placed on the surface one above the other as shown. The static
coefficient of friction between the blocks and C and surface is also shown. Determine
the maximum value of P that can be applied before any slipping takes place.
(May 08-10 marks)
Ans: P=25.5 N P


MECHANICS

V i s i o n E n g i n e e r i n g C l a s s e s

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10. The coefficient of friction are
S
= 0.3 and
K
= 0.25 between all surfaces of contact. If a
force of P=900 N is applied as shown. Find the resultant of frictional force on 150 kg
block. Take g=10 m/ s
2
Ans: 900 N




P


11. Block A has a mass of 20 kg and block B has a mass of 10 kg. Knowing that
S
= 0.15
between all surfaces of contact, determine the values of for which motion will
impend. Take g=10 m/ s
2
Ans: = 46.4







12. A homogenous block of weight W rests upon the inclined plane. If = 0.3 determine the
greatest height h at which a force P parallel to the inclined plane may be applied so that
the block will slide up the plane without tipping over. Ans: 57.14 cm




MECHANICS

V i s i o n E n g i n e e r i n g C l a s s e s

P
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13. A hemispherical body of uniform density rests on a horizontal surface and is subjected
to a force P at the rim. If P is increased slowly and always kept normal to the rim
surface, determine the coefficient of static friction. If the angle of tilt = 40 at which
slipping occurs. Also determine the resultant reaction at A and force P. Take r = 1m and
weight of solid hemisphere = 500N (Dec 04-8 marks)
Hint: C.G. of solid hemisphere is at a distance of 3r/8 from base.
Ans: = 0.286, P= 337.4 N, R
A
= 788.86 N 15.96







14. The following figure shows a block A held in equilibrium on an inclined plane by a
moment M applied to the link BC. Link AB and link BC are hinged at B. The weight of
block is 10 kN. The rod BC is 2m long. Assume the links to be weightless and hinges to be
ideally smooth. Calculate M to just start the motion of the block upwards. Take
coefficient of friction between the block and the plane to be 0.2. (May98-8 marks)
Ans: 14.47 KNm
C