An object with a mass of #4 kg# is lying still on a surface and is compressing a horizontal spring by #7/8 m#. If the spring's constant is #16 (kg)/s^2#, what is the minimum value of the surface's coefficient of static friction?

1 Answer
Apr 28, 2016

#0.36#

Explanation:

The spring applies a force of #-kx = -16xx7/8 N = -14 N#

Now the force of friction on the object = #mumg = mu4xx9.8 N#

so, if it is not moving, net force on the body must be zero,

hence:

#mu4xx9.8 = 14#
#=> mu = 7/19.6 ~~0.36 #