PROBLEM 8.

Determine whether the block shown is in equilibrium and find the magnitude and
direction of the friction force when θ = 30° and P = 150 N.

SOLUTION
Assume equilibrium:

ΣFx = 0: F + (1200 N) sin 30° − (150 N) cos 30° = 0

F = − 470.1 N F = 470.1 N

ΣFy = 0: N − (1200 N) cos 30° − (150 N)sin 30° = 0

N = 1114.2 N

(a) Maximum friction force: Fm = μ s N

= 0.35(1114.2 N)
= 390.0 N

Since F is and F > Fm , block moves down 

(b) Actual friction force: F = Fk = μ k N = 0.25(1114.2 N) = 279 N F = 279 N 30.0° 

PROPRIETARY MATERIAL. © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this Manual may be displayed,
reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, or used beyond the limited
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 PROBLEM 8.3

Determine whether the block shown is in equilibrium and find the

magnitude and direction of the friction force when P = 100 lb.

SOLUTION
Assume equilibrium:

ΣFx = 0: F + (45 lb)sin 30° − (100 lb) cos 40° = 0

F = +54.0 lb
ΣFy = 0: N − (45 lb) cos 30° − (100 lb)sin 40° = 0

N = 103.2 lb
(a) Maximum friction force:
Fm = μ s N
= 0.40(103.2 lb)
= 41.30 lb
We note that F > Fm . Thus, block moves up 
(b) Actual friction force:
F = Fk = μk N = 0.30(103.2 lb) = 30.97 lb,  F = 31.0 lb 30.0° 

PROPRIETARY MATERIAL. © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this Manual may be displayed,
reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, or used beyond the limited
distribution to teachers and educators permitted by McGraw-Hill for their individual course preparation. If you are a student using this Manual,
you are using it without permission.

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 PROBLEM 8.4

Determine whether the block shown is in equilibrium and find the

magnitude and direction of the friction force when P = 60 lb.

SOLUTION
Assume equilibrium:

ΣFx = 0: F + (45 lb) sin 30° − (60 lb) cos 40° = 0

F = +23.46 lb
ΣFy = 0: N − (45 lb) cos 30° − (60 lb) sin 40° = 0

N = 77.54 lb
(a) Maximum friction force:
Fm = μs N
= 0.40(77.54 lb)
= 31.02 lb
We check that F < Fm . Thus, block is in equilibrium 

(b) Thus F = +23.46 lb F = 23.5 lb 30.0° 

Note: We have Fk = μk N = 0.30(77.54) = 23.26 lb. Thus F > Fk . If block originally in motion, it will keep
moving with Fk = 23.26 lb.

PROPRIETARY MATERIAL. © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this Manual may be displayed,
reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, or used beyond the limited
distribution to teachers and educators permitted by McGraw-Hill for their individual course preparation. If you are a student using this Manual,
you are using it without permission.

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