Question

If the coefficient of friction between an insect and bowl is $\mu$ and the radius of the bowl $r$, find the maximum height to which the insect can crawl up in the bowl.

Answer 1

$N=W\cos \theta$

$f=W\sin \theta$

$\frac{f}{N}=\tan \theta =\mu$

$\therefore \cos \theta =\frac{1}{{\mu }^2+1}$

$\frac{r-h}{r}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{{\mu }^2+1}}$

$h=r(1-\frac{1}{\sqrt{{\mu }^2+1}})$