PHYSICS IB

DYNAMICS: IB FRICTION

Ex 1 (Ex B2 part 1 - Nov 01 – HL): This question about measuring the coefficient of dynamic (kinetic)
sliding friction.
A student releases a block of mass M placed at the top of an inclined plane and measures the time it takes the
block to travel a measured distance down the plane. The diagram below shows the block whilst it is still sliding.

(a) On the diagram, draw and name the forces acting on the block. [3]
(b) The angle of incline of the plane is 50° and the block takes 1.80 s to travel
4.00 m down theplane. The acceleration due to gravity is 9.81ms−2 .
Calculate
(i) the acceleration of the block down the plane. [2]
(ii) the component of weight down the plane in terms of M. [2]
(c) If the coefficient of dynamic sliding friction between the plane and the block
is μ k, what is the value of the frictional force expressed in terms of μ k and M?
[2]
(d) Calculate the value of μ k,. [3]
(e) If the angle of incline of the plane is changed to 40° the block will only start to slide down the plane if it is
given a slight push. Estimate the value of the coefficient of static friction between the block and the plane. [2]

Ex 2 (Ex B2 part 1- May 04 – HL – TZ2): This question is about Static equilibrium.

The diagram below shows a wooden block that is at rest on an inclined plane.

(a) On the diagram, draw arrows to represent the forces acting on

the block. Label each arrow with the name of the force that it
represents. [3]

A uniform ladder of weight 250 N and length 10 m rests against a smooth wall. The forces acting on the ladder
are shown in the diagram below.

In the position shown, the foot of the ladder makes an

angle θ with the ground and the ladder is just about to slip.
(b) The coefficient of static friction between the ladder
and the ground is 0.40. State the relation between the
friction force F and the normal reaction N G [1]

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Ex 3 (Ex A2 - Nov 05 – HL – TZ0): This question is about a balloon used to carry scientific equipment.
The diagram below represents a balloon just before take-off. The balloon’s basket is attached to the ground by
two fixing ropes.

There is a force F vertically upwards of 2.15×103 N on the balloon. The total mass of the balloon and its basket
is 1.95×102 kg. The acceleration due to gravity is 9.81ms−2 .

(a) State the magnitude of the resultant force on the balloon when it is attached to the ground.
[1]
(b) Calculate the tension in either of the fixing ropes- [3]

(c) The fixing ropes are released and the balloon accelerates upwards. Calculate the magnitude of this initial
acceleration.
[2]
(d) i) The balloon reaches a terminal speed 10 seconds after take-off. The upward force F remains constant.
Describe how the magnitude of air friction on the balloon varies during the first 10 seconds of its flight.
[1]
ii)Calculate the air resistance value. [2]

END OF PAPER 2

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