Problem 17: A block with mass m1 = 7.5 kg rests on the surface of a horizontal table which has a coefficient of static friction of μs = 0.59. This block is connected by a pulley system to another block which hangs vertically. The hanging block has mass m2.
Part (a) What is the minimum mass, m2,min, in kilograms, that will cause the system to move?
Part (b) A second block with a mass of 10 kg is placed on top of the first block. What is the new hanging mass, m2,min, in kilograms, that will cause the system to move?
Part (c) The table is inclined at an angle θ, relative to the horizontal in such a way that the pulley is at the highest point and the 10 kg block is removed from m1. Write an equation for the magnitude of the normal force, FN, of the block.
Part (d) Write an equation for the tension, T, in terms of mass m1, just before the block begins to slide. Note that the angle is not so large that the block would slide down the table under its own weight (i.e., if the tension acting on mass m1 were removed, the block would remain stationary based on the friction between the block and the table).
Part (e) Write an equation for the minimum mass, m2, necessary for the block to slide when the table is inclined.
Part (f) How is the minimum mass m2 for the inclined table different from that for the horizontal table considered in part (a)?