Sample Problem 7.

1
The 100-lb block in Fig. (a) is initially at rest on a horizontal plane. Determine the
friction force between the block and the surface after P was gradually increased P
W = 100 lb
from 0 to 30 lb.

Solution μ s = 0.5
μ k = 0.2
From the problem statement we conclude that this is a Type I problem (impending
motion is not specified). Furthermore, we do not know if the block will even (a)
remain at rest in static equilibrium when P = 30 lb.

Assume Equilibrium 100 lb

Once we have assumed that the body remains at rest, the equilibrium equations
for the free-body diagram in Fig. (b) can be used to calculate the two unknowns P = 30 lb
(N and F), as follows.
y

 Fy = 0 +⏐ N − 100 = 0
F x
N = 100 lb N
+
 Fx = 0 −→ P − F = 0 (b)
F = P = 30 lb

Before we can accept this solution, the assumption of equilibrium must be

checked.

Check
The maximum static friction force is

Fmax = μs N = 0.5(100) = 50 lb

Because F < Fmax , we conclude that the block is in static equilibrium, and the
correct value of the friction force is

F = 30 lb Answer

Comment
If the coefficient of static friction had been 0.25, instead of 0.5, the block would
not be in equilibrium. The 30-lb friction force required for equilibrium would be
greater than Fmax = 0.25(100) = 25 lb; therefore, the friction force would be

F = Fk = μk N = 0.2(100) = 20 lb

and the block would be sliding to the right.

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 Sample Problem 7.2
The 100-lb block in Fig. (a) is at rest on a rough horizontal plane before the force P
P is applied. Determine the magnitude of P that would cause impending sliding to
W = 100 lb
the right.

Solution
μ s = 0.5
μ k = 0.2 The problem statement clearly specifies that sliding impends. Because we know
where it impends (there is only one friction surface), we conclude that this is a
(a)
Type II problem.
The free-body diagram of the block is shown in Fig. (b), where the friction
100 lb
force is shown acting to the left, opposite the direction of impending sliding. There
are three unknowns in this FBD: P, N, and F. There are also three independent
equations: two equilibrium equations and Coulomb’s law for impending sliding.
P From the FBD we see that the equilibrium equations give N = 100 lb and
P = F. Coulomb’s law then yields

P = F = Fmax = μs N = 0.5(100) = 50 lb Answer

F
N
This completes the solution. Because there were no assumptions, no checks are
(b) necessary.
Comment
Note that Fig. (a) in both Sample Problems 7.1 and 7.2 is identical. The differ-
ences are revealed only in the problem statements. This shows that you must read
each problem statement very carefully, because it determines the problem type.
A problem statement can imply impending sliding. For example, the following
are equivalent to the original statement of this problem: They both imply that P is
to be calculated for impending sliding.

1. Determine the largest force P that can be applied without causing the block to
slide to the right.
2. Determine the smallest force P that will cause the block to slide to the right.

y Sample Problem 7.3

Determine the maximum force P that can be applied to block A in Fig. (a) without
x
causing either block to move.
Surface 1 A P
μ s = 0.2 WA = 100 lb
Solution
B
WB = 200 lb The problem statement indicates that we are to find P that would cause impend-
ing motion. However, there are two possible ways in which motion can impend:
Surface 2 impending sliding at surface 1, or impending sliding at surface 2. Because
μs = 0.1 impending sliding is specified but not its location, this is a Type III problem.
The free-body diagrams of the entire system and each block are shown in
(a) Figs. (b) and (c), respectively. Note that the equilibrium of each block yields

348
 WA = 100 lb
A P

F1
1 N1 = 100 lb

WA = 100 lb
A P
1 N1 = 100 lb
F1
B
B WB = 200 lb
WB = 200 lb

F2
2 F2
N2 = 300 lb N2 = 300 lb

(b) (c)

N1 = 100 lb and N2 = 300 lb, as shown on the FBDs. Attention should be paid
to the friction forces. The friction force F2 on the bottom of block B is directed
to the left, opposite the direction in which sliding would impend. At surface 1,
block A would tend to slide to the right, across the top of block B. Therefore, F1
is directed to the left on block A, and to the right on block B. The tendency of F1
to slide B to the right is resisted by the friction force F2 . Note that F1 and N1 do
not appear in the FBD in Fig. (b), because they are internal to the system of both
blocks.
Two solutions are presented here to illustrate both methods of analysis
described in Art. 7.3.

Method of Analysis 1
First, assume impending sliding at surface 1. Under this assumption we have

F1 = (F1 )max = (μs )1 N1 = 0.2(100) = 20 lb

The FBD of block A then gives

+
 Fx = 0 −→ P − F1 = 0
P = F1 = 20 lb

Next, assume impending sliding at surface 2, which gives

F2 = (F2 )max = (μs )2 N2 = 0.1(300) = 30 lb

From the FBD of the entire system, Fig. (b), we then obtain

+
 Fx = 0 −→ P − F2 = 0
P = F2 = 30 lb

349
 So far, we have determined that P = 20 lb will cause motion to impend at
surface 1 and that P = 30 lb will cause motion to impend at surface 2. Therefore,
the largest force that can be applied without causing either block to move is

P = 20 lb Answer

with sliding impending at surface 1.

Be sure you understand that the largest force that can be applied is the smaller
of the two values determined in the preceding calculations. If sliding impends
when P = 20 lb, then the system would not be at rest when P = 30 lb.

Method of Analysis 2
Assume impending motion at surface 1. We would then obtain P = (F1 )max =
20 lb, as determined in Method of Analysis 1. Next, we check the assumption.

Check
The assumption of impending motion at surface 1 is checked by comparing the
friction force F2 with (F2 )max , its maximum possible value. Using the FBD of
block B, we obtain

+
 Fx = 0 −→ F1 − F2 = 0
F1 = F2 = 20 lb

Because (F2 )max = (μs )2 N2 = 0.1(300) = 30 lb, we have F2 < (F2 )max . Con-
sequently, we conclude that impending motion at surface 1 is the correct
assumption, so that the answer is P = 20 lb.
Had F2 turned out to be greater than (F2 )max , we would know that sliding
would first impend at surface 2, and the problem would have to be solved again
making use of this fact.

Comment
There are five unknowns in this problem: P, N1 , F1 , N2 , and F2 . There are
four independent equilibrium equations: two for each block. The assumption of
impending motion at one surface provides the fifth equation, F = μs N , making
the problem statically determinate.
In our solution, we have considered two possible modes of impending
motion—impending sliding at surface 1 and impending sliding at surface 2.
Impending sliding at both surfaces at the same time is obviously a third possibility,
but it need not be examined independently. Both of the foregoing analyses would
determine if simultaneous impending sliding is indeed the case. In Method of
Analysis 1 the two computed values of P would be equal. In Method of Analysis 2
the check would reveal that F = Fmax at both surfaces.
Caution A mistake that is often made in the analysis of Type III problems is to
assume that motion impends at the surface with the smallest coefficient of static
friction. The solution to this problem illustrates that this need not be the case.

350
Sample Problem 7.4
A
Can the system in Fig. (a) be in static equilibrium in the position shown? The y
uniform bar AB weighs 500 lb, and the weight of block C is 300 lb. Friction at A
is negligible, and the coefficient of static friction is 0.4 at the other two contact ft
x 10
surfaces.
B
30°
Solution C 50°
Because it is not known whether motion impends, we identify this as a Type I
problem. Note that the FBDs of the bar and the block, Figs. (b) and (c), contain (a)
five unknowns: N A , N B , FB , NC , and FC .
A
Assume Equilibrium t
5f NA
Under this assumption, there are five equilibrium equations: three for the bar 40°
AB and two for the block C. The unknowns may be computed by the following t
5f
procedure.
B 30° 500 lb
FBD of AB [Fig. (b)] FB

 MB = 0 + N A sin 40◦ (10 cos 30◦ ) + N A cos 40◦ (10 sin 30◦ ) NB
(b)
−500(5 cos 30◦ ) = 0
N A = 230.4 lb
NB
300 lb
+
 Fx = 0 −→ FB − N A cos 40◦ = 0
FB
FB = 230.4 cos 40◦ = 176.50 lb C

+⏐
FC
 Fy = 0 N B + N A sin 40◦ − 500 = 0
N B = −230.4 sin 40◦ + 500 = 351.9 lb NC

FBD of Block C [Fig. (c)] (c)


 Fy = 0 ⏐
+ NC − N B − 300 = 0
NC = 351.9 + 300 = 651.9 lb
+
 Fx = 0 −→ FC − FB = 0
FC = FB = 176.50 lb

Check
To check the assumption of equilibrium, we must compare each of the friction
forces against its maximum static value.

(FB )max = 0.4N B = 0.4(351.9) = 140.76 lb < FB = 176.50 lb

Answer
(FC )max = 0.4NC = 0.4(651.9) = 260.8 lb > FC = 176.50 lb

We conclude that the system cannot be in equilibrium. Although there is sufficient

friction beneath B, the friction force under C exceeds its limiting value.

351
 Sample Problem 7.5
Determine the largest and smallest values of the force P for which the system
in Fig. (a) will be in static equilibrium. The homogeneous bars AB and BC are
identical, each having a mass of 100 kg. The coefficient of static friction between
the bar at C and the horizontal plane is 0.5.

x B
1.5
m
P
3m 1.5
m
A 30° 30° C

μ s = 0.5

(a)

Solution
This is a Type II problem because impending sliding at C is implied. However,
finding the largest and smallest values of P are two separate problems.
Note that the weights of the bars have a tendency to slide C to the right.
Therefore, impending sliding of C to the right corresponds to the smallest P. The
largest P occurs when sliding of C impends to the left; in this case, P must over-
come both the friction and the tendency of the weights to slide C to the right.
Consequently, the only difference between the two problems is the direction of
the friction force at C.
The FBD of the system consisting of both bars is shown in Fig. (b); the
two directions of FC are indicated by dashed lines. The weight of each bar,
W = mg = 100(9.81) = 981 N, is also shown on the diagram.

B
m 1.5
1.5 m
P
m 1.5
1.5 m
30° C
Ax A
981 N 981 N FC FC
Ay
NC

(b)

An equation involving only NC and P is obtained by summing moments about

A in Fig. (b):

 MA = 0 + NC (6 cos 30◦ ) + P(1.5 sin 30◦ )

− 981(1.5 cos 30◦ ) − 981(4.5 cos 30◦ ) = 0 (a)

The FBDs of bar BC corresponding to the largest and smallest values of P are
shown in Figs. (c) and (d), respectively. In both cases, FC is set equal to (FC )max

352
 By
By
Bx
B Bx
1.5 B
m 1.5
P m P
1.5
m 1.5
m
30° C
30°
981 N FC = 0.5NC C FC = 0.5NC
981 N

NC NC

(c) Largest P (d) Smallest P

because sliding impends. Summing moments about B yields another equation

containing NC and P.

 MB = 0 + NC (3 cos 30◦ ) − 981(1.5 cos 30◦ )

− P(1.5 sin 30◦ ) ± 0.5NC (3 sin 30◦ ) = 0 (b)

where the positive (negative) sign on the last term corresponds to the largest
(smallest) value of P.
Solving Eqs. (a) and (b) gives

largest P = 1630 N Answer

smallest P = 530 N Answer

Therefore, the system is in static equilibrium for values of P in the range

530 N ≤ P ≤ 1630 N.
The solution of this sample problem clearly illustrates that the directions of the
friction forces must be shown correctly on the free-body diagrams when sliding
impends.

Sample Problem 7.6

The uniform 100-lb plank in Fig. (a) is resting on friction surfaces at A and B.
The coefficients of static friction are shown in the figure. If a 200-lb man starts
walking from A toward B, determine the distance x when the plank will start to
slide.
x

μs = 0.5
μs = 0.2
B
A 10 ft 40°

(a)

353
 Solution
This is a Type II problem. When the plank is on the verge of moving, sliding
must impend at both A and B. Impending sliding at A only, or at B only, would be
physically impossible. Because the plank is a rigid body, any movement of end A
must be accompanied by a movement of end B.
y
The FBD of the plank is shown in Fig. (b). Observe that the friction forces
are shown acting in their correct directions. When the plank is ready to move,
x the direction of impending sliding of end B is down the inclined plane. Con-
x 200 lb FB
sequently, end A would tend to slide to the left. The directions of FA and FB
must oppose these motions. Showing either of the friction forces in the opposite
A B 40° direction would lead to incorrect results.

FA 5 ft 5 ft Inspection of the FBD in Fig. (b) reveals that there are five unknowns: N A ,
50° NB FA , N B , FB , and x. There are also five equations: three equilibrium equations and
NA 100 lb two friction equations. Therefore, all the unknowns can be computed from the
FBD as follows.
(b)

 MA = 0 + N B sin 50◦ (10) + FB sin 40◦ (10)

−200x − 100(5) = 0 (a)
+ ◦ ◦
 Fx = 0 −→ FA − N B cos 50 + FB cos 40 = 0 (b)

 Fy = 0 +⏐ N A − 200 − 100 + N B sin 50◦ + FB sin 40◦ = 0 (c)

Substituting the friction equations, FA = 0.2N A and FB = 0.5N B , and solving

Eqs. (a)–(c) give N A = 163.3 lb, N B = 125.7 lb, and

x = 4.34 ft Answer

Sample Problem 7.7

The spool in Fig. (a) weighs 25 N, and its center of gravity is located at the geo-
metric center. The weight of block C is 50 N. The coefficients of static friction at
the two points of contact are as shown. Determine the largest horizontal force P
that can be applied without disturbing the equilibrium of the system.

μ s = 0.3 A Dimensions
in mm
80

12
0

P
μμs = 0.4 B

(a)

354
Solution
The key to the analysis of this problem is understanding that there are two possi-
bilities for impending motion (both could occur simultaneously): (1) impending
sliding at A with impending rolling (without sliding) at B, and (2) impending
sliding at B with impending rolling (without sliding) at A. Because it is initially
not known which of these possibilities represents the actual mode of impending
motion, this is a Type III problem.
50 N
The free-body diagrams for the block and the spool are shown in Fig. (b).
Observe that both friction forces have been shown in their correct directions. The NC
force P tends to slide points A and B on the spool to the right. Therefore, both C
friction forces are shown acting to the left on the FBD of the spool. y
Inspecting the FBDs in Fig. (b), we conclude from  Fy = 0 that N A = 50 N FA
and N B = 75 N. At this stage three unknowns remain in the FBD of the spool: FA ,
x NA
FB , and P. Because only two equilibrium equations are left ( Fy = 0 has already
been used), the remainder of the solution depends on the assumption regarding
impending motion. NA

Assume Impending Sliding at A

FA A
This assumption gives us the additional equation FA = 0.3N A = 0.3(50) = 15 N.
The FBD of the spool then yields

80
 MB = 0 + FA (240) − P(40) = 0 25 N 12
0
P
which gives
B
P = 6FA = 6(15) = 90.0 N
FB
Assume Impending Sliding at B NB
This assumption gives FB = 0.4N B = 0.4(75) = 30 N. From the FBD of the spool, (b)
we now obtain

 MA = 0 + − FB (240) + P(200) = 0

which gives
P = 1.2FB = 1.2(30) = 36.0 N

Choose the Correct Answer

Up to this point, the analysis has determined that sliding impends at A if
P = 90.0 N and at B if P = 36.0 N. Consequently, the largest force P that can
be applied without disturbing the static equilibrium of the spool is

P = 36.0 N Answer

with sliding impending at B.

An alternate method for solving this problem is to assume impending sliding
at one surface and then to compare the friction force at the other surface with its
limiting static value.

355