Example 4: The block has a mass of 100 kg. If the coefficient of static friction between the block and the surface is 0.25, determine
a. the force P needed for the block to have impending slippingSolution:
Part a: We begin by drawing the free-body diagram of the block and writing the two force equilibrium equations.
Since the condition is impending slipping, the friction force is related to the normal force as
Substituting for F and solving the two equilibrium equations gives
Part b: the angle of static friction is the angle of the resultant force at the surface of contact, and is found as
Part c: To determine if tipping is a possibility, we solve for hmax and compare it to h= 60 in. Using the equilibrium of moments, we find
Since hmax>h, no tipping will occur.