Question

A body of mass 100 g is made just to slide on a rough surface by applying a force of 0.8 N. Find the coefficient of friction. Take g = 10 m/s².

Answer 1

Step 1. Given data

Mass of the body, $m=100gram$

$m=100/1000kg$

$m=0.1kg$

Force applied, $F=0.8N$

Acceleration due to gravity, $g=9.8m/s^2$

Frictional force $=f$

Step 2. Formula used

$\mu =\frac{f}{mg}$ …………………….(a)

where (μ) is the coefficient of friction

Step 3. Calculation of coefficient of friction (μ)

For equilibrium, the force of friction must be equal to the applied force.

$f=F$

Substituting the given values in equation (a), we get

$\mu =\frac{0.8}{0.1\times 10}$

$\mu =0.8$

Hence, the coefficient of friction is equal to $0.8$