A cardboard box sits on top of a concrete sidewalk where the coefficient of friction between the surfaces is 0.4. The mass of the box is 10 Kg and the box is pulled horizontally with a force of 60 N. What is the Gravitational Force on the box? What is the Normal Force? What is the Frictional Force? What is the Acceleration?

Fg = 98.1 [N]; N = 98.1 [N]; Ff = 39.24 [N]; a = 2.076[m/^2]

Explanation:

To solve this problem, we must make a free body diagram and interpret each of the forces acting on the box. In the attached diagram we can find the free body diagram.

The gravitational force is equal to:

Fg = (10 * 9.81) = 98.1 [N]

Now by summing forces on the Y axis equal to zero, we can find the normal force exerted by the surface.

N - Fg = 0

N = Fg

N = 98.1 [N]

The friction force is defined as the product of normal force by the coefficient of friction.

Ff = N * μ

Ff = 98.1 * 0.4

Ff = 39.24 [N]

By the sum forces on the x-axis equal to the product of mass by acceleration (newton's second law), we can find the value of acceleration.

60 - Ff = m * a

60 - 39.24 = 10 * a

a = 2.076[m/^2]