Rankers Physics
Topic: Laws of Motion
Subtopic: Equilibrium based Questions

A uniform chain of mass m and length l is lying on a horizontal table with one third of its length hanging over the edge of the table. If the chain is in limiting equilibrium what is the coefficient of friction for the contact between the table and chain?
1/3
2/3
3/4
1/2

Solution:

The hanging part of the chain has weight

Wh=m3gW_h = \frac{m}{3} g

, and the part on the table has normal force

N=2m3gN = \frac{2m}{3} g

. In limiting equilibrium, friction

Ff=μNF_f = \mu N

balances

WhW_h

, so

 

μ×2m3g=m3g\mu \times \frac{2m}{3} g = \frac{m}{3} g

 

Solving,

μ=12\mu = \frac{1}{2}

.

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