How Much Sand Triggers Motion in a Friction-Influenced System?

[needhelp83]

A 28.0 kg block is connected to an empty 1.00 kg bucket by a cord running over a frictionless pulley. The coefficient of static friction between the table and the block is 0.45 and the coefficient of kinetic friction between the table and the block is 0.320. Sand is gradually added to the bucket until the system begins to move.
a) Calculate the mass of sand added to the bucket
b) Calculate the acceleration for the system.


a)
28.0 kg block weighs (28.0 kg)(9.80 m/s2) = 274.4 N

Ffr(max) = µsFN
Ffr(max) = (.450)(274.4 N) = 123.48 N

F = ma
123.48 N = m(9.80 N/kg)=12.6 kg
12.6 kg – 1.0 kg=11.6 kg of sand

b)
Force of Kinetic Friction between Block and Table
Ffr = µkFN
Ffr = (.320)(274.4 N) = 87.808 N

Force of Bucket
F=ma
123.48 - T= 12.6a

Force of Block
F = ma
T - 87.808 N= 28a

Substituting First Expression into Second Expression and Solve for T:
123.48 - T = 12.6a, T = 123.48 - 12.6a

T - 87.808 N = 28a
(123.48 - 12.6a) - 87.808 N = 28a
35.672 = 40.6a
a = 0.879 m/s2

Does this all look correct?

 

[Fermat]

It checks out fine.

Another way of doing (b) is like this.

The total force on the system is (Force from bucket - kinetic friction) = 123.48 - 87.808 = 35.672 N
Total mass (of the system) undergoing acceleration is (mass of block + mass of bucket) = 28 + 12.6 = 40.6 kg

Then use Newton's 2nd law

F = Ma
35.672 = 40.6a
a = 35.672/40.6 = 0.8786 m/s²

 

[kyle8921]

Yes, your calculations and approach seem to be correct. However, it would be helpful to label your units in each step to ensure accuracy. Additionally, it would be beneficial to provide a brief explanation of how you arrived at each step, as this can help to clarify your thought process and make it easier for others to follow your calculations. Overall, great job on solving this problem using Newton's Laws!