Question

A 181-kg bookcase is at rest in the front office. A custodian pushes horizontally on the bookcase to try to move it. If it takes 584 N of force before the bookcase begins to move, find the coefficient of static friction between the bookcase and the floor.

Answer 1

Answer:

The coefficient of static friction between the bookcase and the floor,  μₓ = 0.3292

Explanation:

Given data,

The mass of the bookcase, m = 181 kg

The static frictional force of the bookcase, Fₓ = 584 N

The gravitational normal force acting on the bookcase is, F = m g

                                                                                       = 181 x 9.8

                                                                                       = 1773.8 N

The formula for static frictional force is

                                         Fₓ = μₓ F

Where μₓ - the coefficient of the static friction

                                        μₓ = Fₓ / F

                                             = 584 N / 1773.8 N

                                             = 0.3292

Hence, the coefficient of static friction between the bookcase and the floor,  μₓ = 0.3292