CE REV 2 – Mech 5

FRICTIONAL FORCE Angle of friction Belt Friction

Friction or Frictional Force

The force which opposes the movement or the 𝐓𝟐
= 𝐞𝛍𝐬𝛃
tendency of movement. It is due to the resistance 𝐓𝟏
to motion offered by minutely projecting
particles at the contact surfaces.

Limiting Friction - Limiting value of frictional Notes:

force when the motion is impending. • In the equation, T2 will always be larger than
T1.
Static Friction - Friction force when the body • β must be in radians and may be larger than
remains at rest and has a value between zero and Let F be the frictional force developed and N the 2π.
the limiting friction. normal reaction. Thus, at contact surface the • If a rope is wrapped around a post n times, β
reactions are F and N. = 2πn
Dynamic friction - The frictional resistance • If the belt is actually slipping, use μk.
experienced by the body while moving. Dynamic They can be graphically combined to get the
friction is less than limiting friction. reaction R which acts at angle θ to the normal PROBLEMS:
reaction.
Coefficient of friction - A constant ratio of the Situation 1: The winch in the figure is used to
magnitude of limiting friction to the normal This angle θ called the angle of friction is given move the 150-kg uniform log AB. The coefficient
reaction between two surfaces. by: of static friction between the log and the plane is
0.40.
a. Coefficient Static of friction, 𝛍𝐬 = 𝐅/𝐍 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝚹 = 𝐅/𝐍
where:
F = limiting friction As P increases, F increases and hence θ also
N = normal reaction between the contact increases. θ can reach the maximum value α
surfaces when F reaches limiting value. At this stage,

b. Coefficient of Kinetic friction, 𝛍𝐤 = 𝐅/𝐍 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛂 = 𝐅/𝐍 = 𝛍

where:
F = dynamic friction This value of α is called Angle of Limiting
N = normal reaction between the contact Friction.
surfaces 1. Compute the tension T for impending
sliding.
 CE REV 2 – Mech 5
2. Compute the T for impending tipping. PROBLEMS FOR PRACTICE:
3. Compute the maximum tension that can be
applied for which the log remains at rest. Situation 1: The crate has a mass of 50 kg. μs =
4. Compute the normal reaction between the 0.25 μk = 0.20
log and the plane.
5. Compute the location of normal reaction
from A.

Situation 2: If the coefficient of static friction at

the contact points A and B is μs = 0.4, determine
the following if the girl is 75-lb and the plank is 1. Determine the reaction at A.
20-lb: 2. Determine the reaction at B.
3. Determine the required force P. 1. Determine the minimum horizontal force P
required to hold the crate from sliding down
Situation 4: A cylinder having a mass of 250 kg is the plane. (P = 140.31 N)
to be supported by the cord which wraps over the 2. Determine the minimum force P required to
pipe. If μs = 0.2, determine the largest vertical push the crate up the plane. (P = 474.27 N)
force F that can be applied to the cord without 3. Determine the minimum force P required to
moving the cylinder. The cord passes: keep it moving up the plane. (P = 431.07 N)

Situation 2: Determine the maximum force P that

can be applied without causing movement of the
250-lb crate which has a center of gravity at G.
The coefficient of static friction at the floor is μs =
1. Reaction at A 0.4. (P = 83.33 lb)
2. Reaction at B
3. minimum distance d can a girl stand on the
plank without causing it to slip.

Situation 3: A 6-m long ladder weighing 600 N is

shown. It is required to determine the horizontal
force P applied at C to hold the ladder from
sliding. The coefficient of friction between the 1. once over the pipe β = 1800
ladder and the contact surfaces at A and B is 0.20. 2. two times over the pipe, β = 540°.
 CE REV 2 – Mech 5
Situation 3: As shown in the figure block D is Situation 6: Determine the smallest horizontal
used to support the 100-kg uniform pole ABC in force P required to lift the 200-kg crate. The
the position shown. coefficient of static friction at all contacting
surfaces is μs = 0.30. Neglect the mass of the
wedge. (P = 1,978.37 N)

reaction at A. (707.76 N)
2. reaction at B. (597.63 N)
3. distance x when the plank will start to slide.
(x = 2.14 m)

Situation 5: The man is trying to push the

homogeneous 20-kg ladder AB up a wall by .
applying the horizontal force P. The coefficient of
static friction between the ladder and both Situation 7: Calculate the pull P that must be
1. Find the normal force at point B. (441.45 N) contact surfaces is 0.3. exerted to slowly lower the mass m=102 kg down
2. Find the frictional force at point B. (88.29 N) the incline plane considering the following cases.
3. Calculate the weight of the lightest block D
than can be used to support the pole against
impending sliding. (1,165.4 N)
4. Calculate the weight of the lightest block D
than can be used to support the pole against
impending tipping. (1,730.5 N)
5. Calculate the weight of the lightest block D
than can be used to support the pole. (1,730.5
N) 1. The friction between the drum and the rope
is negligible while the coefficient of friction
Situation 4: The uniform 50 kg plank in the figure between the mass and the inclined surface is
is resting on rough surfaces A and B. The 0.25. (530.6 N)
coefficients of static friction are shown in the 1. Determine the smallest value of P that would 2. The coefficient of friction at all surfaces of
figure. If an 80 kg man starts walking from A move the ladder. (171.01 N) contact is 0.25. (90.64 N)
towards B. Compute the: 2. Determine the reaction at A. (237.07 N) 3. The maximum pull P required to start raising
1. 3. Determine the reaction at B. (107.42 N) the mass up the incline considering the
situation of part 2. (5, 177 N)