FRICTION

The force resisting the motion on a rough surface is called friction. It always
acts opposite to the direction of motion.
Consider a block of mass of m kg resting on a rough horizontal table and a
horizontal force of P N is applied to the block.

F P

Mg
The frictional force increases with the applied force until it reaches its maximum value. This
maximum value is a fraction of normal reaction. The fraction is called coefficient of friction denoted
by the letter 𝝁,
Hence, F max = 𝝁 𝑹
𝟏
For example, if 𝝁 = 𝟐 , m = 10 kg

(i) If P = 25 N
F max = 𝝁 𝑹 = ½ (100) = 50 N
Since P < F max, the block will remain at rest.
Frictional force = applied force = 25 N
(ii) If P= 38 N
Since P < F max, the block will remain at rest.
Frictional force = applied force = 38 N
(iii) If P = 50 N
P = F max, the block will remain at rest.
When P = F max, the block is about to move. This is called limiting equilibrium.
Hence When P ≤ 𝑭 𝒎𝒂𝒙, the block will remain at rest.

1
(iv) If P = 70 N
P > F max, hence the block will move.
Using F = ma
P – F max = ma
70 – 50 = 10 a
a = 2 m/s2
frictional force = F max
Exercise 6 A page 110
Q1. F max = 1/7(100) = 14.3 N
(a) P= 10 N
P< F max
It will remain at rest. Frictional force = applied force = 10 N
c) P = 20 N
P > F max, hence it will accelerate.
Frictional force = Fmax= 14.3 N
d) R =100+28 = 128 N
F max = 1/7(128) = 18.3 N
P= 10 N
P < F max, hence it will remain at rest.
Frictional force = applied force= 10 N
f) P = 20 N
P > F max, so it will accelerate.
Frictional force = F max = 18.3 N
j) R +28 sin 30 = 100
R = 86 N
F max = 1/7(86) =12.3 N
P = 28cos30 = 24.2 N
P > F max, so it will accelerate.
Frictional force = F max = 12.3 N

2
Q3. P = 28 N
In limiting equilibrium
P = F max
F max = 𝝁 𝑹 = 𝝁 (𝟓𝟎)
28 = 𝝁 (𝟓𝟎)
𝝁 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟔
8. 𝝁 = 𝟎. 𝟓
F max = 0.5(20) = 10 N
(i) P – F max = ma
P = 20 N
(ii) P = 10.2 N
Q10. When it comes to the rough surface, u = 2m/s
R a
F

2g
0 -Fmax = ma
- 0.2(20) = 2a
a = -2 m/s2
Distance travelled before coming to rest
S= 1 m
11. u=0,
Stage 1: with the applied force, t= 5 sec, v= 3.5 m/s
(a) a= 0.7 m/s2
(b) P – F max = ma
F max = 0.25(g) = 2.5 N
P – 0.25g = 1(0.7)
P = 3.2 N

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© 0 - F max = ma
-2.5 = a
Retardation is 2.5 m/s2
d) total distance travelled = S1 + s2
s1 = 8.75 m
s2 = 2.45 m
s = 11.2 m
12. R

F max T

2g
(i) T should exceed F max
F max = 0.5(20) = 10 N
(ii) R
T
F max 30

2g
Vertically
R + T sin30 = 20
R = 20 – ½ T
F max = 0.5( 20 – ½ T) = 10 – ¼ T
For the motion to occur
T cos 30 > F max
T cos30 > 10 – ¼ T
T> 8.96 N

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(iii) R

F max
30
T
2g

Vertically, R = 20 + T sin30 = 20+ ½ T

For the motion to occur
T cos 30 > F max
T cos 30 > 0.5( 20+ ½ T)
T cos 30 > 10+ ¼ T
T> 16.2 N
14.
(ii) R
T
F max 20

0.1g
When T = 0.5 N, it is in limiting equilibrium
T cos20 = F max
0.5 cos20 = 𝝁( 1 – 0.5sin20)
𝝁 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟔𝟕
F max = 0.4698 N
T cos20 – F max = ma
T cos20 – 0.4698 = 0.1 (1.5)
T = 0.660 N

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Q15. Sliding will occur if the force due to acceleration is more than the frictional force between the
mass and the table.
Hence Ma > F max, for sliding to occur
F max = 1/7( 3g) = 4.29 N
(i) a= 1 m/s2
Ma = 3(1) = 3 N
Ma < f max
No sliding.
(ii) ma= 3(1.4) = 4.2 N
Ma < f max
No sliding.
(iii) ma= 3(2) = 6 N
Ma > F max
It will slide.
18. ma =0.5 (1.1)= 0.55 N
F max = 0.1( 0.5g) = 0.5 N
Ma > F max
So the cake will slide across the plate.

Q19.
R
F max T T
T
6g T
F max = 0.2(60) =12N
In equilibrium

At B, T = 10 N g
T < F max , hence it will remain at rest.

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20.

R a
F max T T
T a
0.09g T
F max = 1/3(0.9) =0.3 N

0.05g
(a) 0.05g- T = 0.05a ……………(1)
T – F max = 0.09a
T – 0.3 = 0.09a …………….(2)
0.2 = 0.14a
a= 1.43 m/s2
(b) T = 0.429 N
© s= ½ at2 = 0.715m

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Q21.
R 3m
F max T T
T
g T
F max = 1/3(g) =10/3 N

(a) 0.5g- T=0.5a 2.5m 0.5g

T-10/3= a
a= 10/9 m/s2
(b) u =0, s= 2.5 m, a= 10/9, v=?
V = 2.36 m/s
© for the further motion of A
When B reaches the floor, the string becomes slack, hence T=0

At A, T-10/3= a

a= -10/3 m/s2
remaining distance from pulley is s = 0.5 m
u= 2.36 m/s, s= 0.5 m, a= -10/3 m/s2
v= 1.5 m/s

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23.
F max R a
T2 T2 T1 T1
T2 T1
T2 4mg T1
a a

mg 5mg
F max= ¼ ( 4mg) = mg
5mg- T1 = 5ma ………….(1)
T1 – T2- mg = 4ma ………….(2)
T2 – mg = ma ……………………(3)
(1)+(2)+(3)
3mg = 10ma
a= 3 m/s2

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Q24.

a R F max
T2 T2 T1 T1
T2 T1
T2 5g T1
a a

3g 2g

3g- T2 = 3(0.28)
T2 – T1 – F max = 5(0.28)
T1 – 2g = 2(0.28)
(1)+(2)+(3)
10 – Fmax = 2.8
F max = 7.2 N
𝑭 𝒎𝒂𝒙 𝟕. 𝟐
𝝁= = = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟒𝟒
𝑹 𝟓𝒈

10
Motion on a rough inclined plane
R Fmax
a
Mg sin 𝜽
Mg mg cos 𝜽
𝜽

A body of m kg rests on a plane which is inclined at 𝜽 to the horizontal.

Fmax= 𝝁 𝑹 = 𝝁 𝒎𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽
Sliding will occur when
Mg sin𝜽 > F max
Mg sin𝜽 > 𝝁 𝒎𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽
Tan𝜽 > 𝝁
It will remain at test
If Tan𝜽 ≤ 𝝁
In limiting equilibrium
Tan𝜽 = 𝝁
Motion up the rough inclined plane
The external force applied can be
(i) parallel and up the plane
(ii) horizontal force
(iii) inclined at some angle with the plane

11
The minimum and maximum value of the external force in limiting equilibrium
It is minimum when it prevents the body from sliding down.

R F P

Mg sin 𝜽 Mg mg cos 𝜽
𝜽

P+ F max= mg sin𝜽
P is maximum when the body is about to move up the plane(or) on the point of moving up.

R P

F
Mg sin 𝜽 Mg mg cos 𝜽
𝜽

P = mg sin𝜽 + F max
Exercise 6 B
𝟏
Q1. 𝝁 = 𝟐

(a)tan20 = 0.364
tan20 < ½
it will remain at rest.
Friction = applied force= 10gsin20 = 34.2 N
(b) tan30= 0.577
Tan30> ½
It will slide down
F = F max = 𝝁𝒎𝒈𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽= 43.3 N

12
( e) tan14 = 0.245
𝝁 = 𝟏/𝟒
It will remain at rest in limiting equilibrium.
F = mgsin14 = 24.2 N
Q2. B. In limiting equilibrium
X + F max = 5gsin20
𝟏
F max = 𝝁 𝒎𝒈𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 = 𝟕 𝟓𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐𝟎 = 𝟔. 𝟕𝟏 𝑵

X = 10.4 N
d. Resolving perpendicular to the plane

R = X sin30 + 5gcos30 = ½ X + 25√𝟑

𝟏 𝟏 𝑿 𝟐𝟓√𝟑
F max = ( 𝑿 + 𝟐𝟓√𝟑 ) = +
𝟕 𝟐 𝟏𝟒 𝟕

Resolving along the plane

F max + X cos30 = 5gsin30
𝑿 𝟐𝟓√𝟑 √𝟑
𝟏𝟒
+ 𝟕 + X 𝟐 = 25

X = 20.1 N
f. Resolving perpendicular to the plane
R + X sin30 = 5gcos30

R = 25√𝟑 – ½ X
𝟐𝟓√𝟑 𝑿
F max = − 𝟏𝟒
𝟕

Resolving along the plane

F max + X cos30 = 5gsin30
𝟐𝟓√𝟑 𝑿 √𝟑
𝟕
− 𝟏𝟒 + X 𝟐 = 25

X = 23.7 N

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Q3. E. Resolving perpendicular to the plane

R = X sin18 + 3gcos30 = X sin18 + 15√𝟑

𝑿 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟏𝟖
F max = + 𝟓√𝟑
𝟑

Resolving along the plane

Xcos18 = F max + 3g sin30
𝑿 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟏𝟖
X cos18 = + 𝟓√𝟑 + 15
𝟑

X = 27.9 N
f) R+ X sin18 = 3gcos30

R = 15√𝟑 – X sin18
𝑿 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟏𝟖
F max = 𝟓√𝟑 -
𝟑

Resolving along the plane

Xcos18 = F max + 3g sin30
X = 22.4 N
6.
R F 20

5g sin 𝟑𝟓 5g 5g cos 𝟑𝟓
𝜽

R = 5gcos35
Along the plane
F max + 20 = 5gsin35
F max = 8.68 N
𝑭 𝒎𝒂𝒙
𝝁= = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟏𝟐
𝑹

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7. R
20
30°
2gsin30 F 2g 2g cos 𝟑𝟎
𝟑𝟎°

R = 20 sin30 + 20cos30 = 27.32 N

Along the plane
20 cos30 = F max+ 2gsin30
F max= 7.32 N
𝝁 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟔𝟖
8. a
R 20

F
2g sin 𝜽 2g 2g cos 𝜽
𝜽

Along the plane

20 – 2gsin 𝜽 - F max = 2a
F max = 9.31 N
R = 2g cos 𝜽= 20( 12/13) = 18.46 N
𝝁 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟎𝟒

15
10. (a) R F
X
45°
6gsin45 6g 6g cos 𝟒𝟓
𝟒𝟓°

R = X sin45 + 60 cos45
F max = 0.5( X sin45+ 60cos45)
Along the plane
F max + X cos45 = 60sin45
0.5( X sin45+ 60cos45) + X cos45 = 60sin45, since sin45 = cos45
0.5( X +60) + X = 60
X = 20 N
b) Friction acts down the plane
hence X cos45 = 60sin45 + F max
X cos45 = 60sin45 + 0.5( X sin45+ 60cos45)
X = 60 +0.5( X +60)
X = 180
c) X cos45 - 60sin45 - F max= 6a

X cos45 - 60sin45 -0.5( X sin45+ 60cos45) = 6 (2√𝟐)

√𝟐
( X – 60- 0.5 X- 30) = 12 √𝟐
𝟐

X = 228 N

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Q13. (i) Friction acts up the plane.
1+ F max = 4g sin16

F max
R 1N
a

4g sin16 4g 4g cos 𝟏𝟔
𝟏𝟔

F max= 10.03 N
R = 4gcos16 = 38.45
𝝁 =0.261
(ii) 4gsin16 – F max = 4a
A = 0.25 m/s2
S = 2 m, u=0, t=?
T= 4 sec

17
15. a R

35√𝟑
30°
5gsin30 5g 5g cos 𝟑𝟎
F 𝟑𝟎°

Resolving perpendicular to the plane

R = 5gcos30 + 35√𝟑 sin30 = 73.6 N

𝟏
F max = (𝟕𝟑. 𝟔) = 𝟐𝟏. 𝟐5 N
𝟐√𝟑

35√𝟑 cos30 – 5gsin30 – F max = 5a ………….(1)

A = 1.25 m/s2
U = 0, s= 6.3m
Find t and v
T = 3.17 s
V= 3.97 m/s

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Q18.
a
R T T
T T a

F max 1g 4g 2.5 m
gsin 𝜽 𝜽 g cos 𝜽

In equilibrium
At 4kg , T = 40 N
1 kg mass will slide up if T > g sin𝜽 + F max
g sin𝜽 = 10( 3/5) = 6 N
F max = ¼( g cos𝜽) = 2 N
g sin𝜽 + F max = 8 N
Hence T > g sin𝜽 + F max. Therefore 1 kg will slide up.
4g- T = 4a
T – F max - gsin𝜽 = 1(a)
40- T = 4a ……………(1)
T – 8 = a ……………..(2)
T = 14.4 N a= 6.4 m/s2
U =0, s= 2.5, find v
V = 5.66m/s

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19.
When m = 1 kg, B goes up and A goes down the plane
At A , F max = 𝝁 𝟏𝟑𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 = 𝝁( 𝟏𝟐𝟎)
T- g = a ………………………(1)
13gsin𝜽 – T- F max = 13a
50 – T – 120 𝝁 = 13a ……………….(2)
(1) + (2)
40 – 120 𝝁 = 14a ………………….(A)
When m = 11 kg, B goes down, A goes up the plane
11g – T = 11a …………………………..(3)
T- 13gsin𝜽 – F max = 13a
T – 50 – 120 𝝁 = 13 a ……………..(4)
(3)+(4)
60 – 𝟏𝟐𝟎𝝁 = 24a ……………….(B)
40 – 120 𝝁 = 14a ………….. (A)
a = 2 m/s2, 𝝁 = 𝟎. 𝟏

20. 15 kg goes down and 5 kg goes up the plane

At 5 kg, F max = 0.25( 5gcos𝜽) = 10 N
At 15 kg, F max = 0.25( 15gcos𝜽) = 30 N
At 15 kg, 15gsin𝜽 – T – 30 = 15a ………………..(1)
At 5 kg, T – 5gsin𝜽 – 10 = 5a …………………………(2)
(1)+(2) a = 1 m/s2 , T = 45 N

20
Exercise 6D
2.
Pcos30 54
P sin30 P
Fmax 30

4g
Resolving vertically
54 = 40+ Psin30
P = 28 N
In limiting equilibrium
F max = P cos30

F max = 28cos30 = 14√𝟑 N

𝟏𝟒√𝟑
𝝁= 𝟓𝟒
= 𝟎. 𝟒𝟓

4.a) Assuming that the surface is smooth

g- T = 1 a…………. (1)
T = 3a…………………….(2)
a = 2.5 m/s2
T =7.5 N
(b) when the mass of the load is 1kg, it is heavy enough to move the block
Hence T > F max
In equilibrium T =g N
F max = 𝝁 (𝟐𝟎)
10 > 20𝝁
𝟏
𝝁<𝟐

T ≤ F max, when the load is 0.5 kg, T = 0.5g

0.5g ≤ 𝝁 (𝟐𝟎), 𝝁 ≥ ¼.
𝟏 𝟏
𝟒
≤ 𝝁<𝟐

21
Q5. R 2a
F max T T
T
mg T a

2mg
at B , 2mg – T = 2ma a
At A , T – F max = ma
𝟑
F max = 𝟓 ( mg)

2mg – T = 2ma
𝟑
T – 𝟓 mg = ma
𝟕𝒎𝒈
𝟓
= 3ma
𝟕𝒈
a = 𝟏𝟓 m/s2
𝟏𝟔
T = 𝟏𝟓 𝒎𝒈 𝑵

B reaches the floor after travelling a distance of a units.

𝟕𝒈
U =0, a = 𝟏𝟓 , s = a, v = ?
𝟏𝟒𝒈𝒂
Velocity with which B reaches the floor, V 2=u2 +2as = 𝟏𝟓

When B reaches the floor the string becomes slack, hence T =0

0 – 3/5 mg = ma
a = -6 m/s2
for the further motion of A
𝟏𝟒𝒈𝒂
u2 = 𝟏𝟓
, v=0, a = -6 m/s2
𝟏𝟒𝒈𝒂
𝟎− 𝟕𝒂
𝟏𝟓
s= 𝟐(−𝟔)
= 𝟗

𝟕𝒂 𝟏𝟔𝒂
total distance travelled by A = s1 +s2 = a + 𝟗
= 𝟗

𝟏𝟔𝒂 𝟐𝒂
distance from the pulley = 2a- 𝟗
= 𝟗 hence shown.

22
Q12. a R F max

R 3g

30 2g
(a)(i) at A,
T+3gsin𝜽 = 3a
At B,
2gsin30 – T = 2a
A= 3.5 m/s2 and T = 3 N
(iii) s=0.63 m, u=0
V= 2.1 m/s
(b) upper slope is rough. The particles are about to move down in limiting equilibrium.
At A,
F max = T + 3gsin𝜽 ……………….(1)
√𝟏𝟓
R = 3g cos𝜽 = 30( 𝟒
)= 29.05 N

At B,
T= 2gsin30 = 10 N
From (1)
F max = 10+ 30(1/4) = 17.5 N
𝟏𝟕. 𝟓
𝝁= = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟎𝟐
𝟐𝟗. 𝟎𝟓

23