Question about friction? Dynamics

In summary, the conversation discusses a physics problem involving a car on a ramp and the direction of friction. The person is confused about why the friction force is pointed down the ramp when they believe it should be pointed up. They ask for an explanation and also bring up the scenario of a car going around a curve on flat ground. It is mentioned that the minimum and maximum speeds are being asked for and there is a discussion about how friction plays a role in keeping the car in a horizontal circle. The conversation concludes with the person thanking others for their helpful responses.
  • #1
Ricardeo Xavier
5
0

Homework Statement


This is the problem
http://imgur.com/a/1XFlt
rp7otFI.png

2. Homework Equations

This is the given FBD
http://imgur.com/a/CURqA
KpA1w1u.png

3. The Attempt at a Solution

Now the car should have a tendency to slip down the ramp thus causing the frictional force to oppose this motion. But the frictional force is pointed down the ramp in this worked out problem. Can someone explain to me why this is?
 
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  • #2
Why is friction pointed down the ramp? Shouldnt it be pointed up the ramp?
 
  • #3
If there were no ramp (i.e. the ground was flat) and the car was going around a curve, what direction would the friction force have to point?
 
  • #4
Ricardeo Xavier said:
Why is friction pointed down the ramp? Shouldnt it be pointed up the ramp?
Note that they ask for minimum and maximum speeds. What happens when you take the curve too fast? Which direction do you tend to slip?
 
  • #5
Ricardeo Xavier said:
Why is friction pointed down the ramp? Shouldnt it be pointed up the ramp?
Follow the sequence of the questions asked by the problem.
First draw the FBD to determine how fast the car must be moving if there were no friction, i.e. sliding around a frictionless curve.
If the car is moving faster than that, friction down the incline is needed to keep it in a horizontal circle.
If the car is moving slower than that, friction up the incline is needed to keep it in a horizontal circle.
 
  • #6
Thanks everyone for the great responses! It really helped clarify things for me (:
 

Related to Question about friction? Dynamics

What is friction?

Friction is a force that resists the relative motion between two surfaces that are in contact with each other. It occurs when two surfaces are in contact and moving against each other, or when one surface is moving against a stationary surface.

What factors affect the amount of friction?

The amount of friction depends on the nature of the surfaces in contact, the force pressing the surfaces together, and the relative speed at which the surfaces are moving or attempting to move against each other.

How is friction measured?

Friction is measured by the coefficient of friction, which is the ratio of the force required to move an object over a surface to the weight of the object. It is a unitless value and can vary depending on the surface materials and conditions.

What are the different types of friction?

There are three types of friction: static, kinetic, and rolling. Static friction occurs when two surfaces are not moving against each other, but there is resistance to start the movement. Kinetic friction occurs when two surfaces are in motion against each other. Rolling friction occurs when an object is rolling over a surface.

How is friction useful?

Friction is essential in everyday life and has many practical applications. It allows us to walk, drive, and hold objects without slipping. It is also used in many machines and devices, such as brakes in cars and pencils writing on paper. Friction is also used in sports, such as in the grip of shoes for running and the grip of a bat in baseball.

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