Saturday, May 2, 2015

homework and exercises - Determine direction of friction on a block held stationary against a vertical wall



A block of mass m is pushed up against a wall and held stationary by a force F that makes an acute angle θ with the horizontal.


May I know how to determine the direction of the static friction fs?


Friction exerted by wall on the block acts in the opposite direction of the impending motion (or motion) of the block relative to wall. In absence of F and fs, the object will move vertically downwards. (F is required to keep the block in contact with the wall) So fs acts vertically upwards? Should we assume that the block can only move parallel to the wall?


Please advise on my doubts. Thank you.




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