Physics 1 Advanced
Practice Force, Tension and Friction Problems
1. A 1.45 kg squirrel accelerates down a playground slide set at an angle of 38.0 degrees. Its rate
of acceleration is a constant 2.63 m/s2.
a. Write a net force equation representing all of the forces acting on the slope of the slide.
b. Solve for the coefficient of kinetic friction.
c. How much kinetic friction does the squirrel experience?
2. A 14.5 kg box on a horizontal floor is pushed with 63.0 N of force to the right. If the coefficient
of kinetic friction is .366, find the normal force, kinetic friction force, the net force and the rate
of acceleration. Draw a free-body diagram showing all of the forces.
3. A crane raises a 3405 kg trailer directly up from the ground. The upward speed of the trailer
from rest after 4.5 s is 1.89 m/s. How much tension would this cable experience? What would
be the net force?
4. A 9.09 kg traffic light is suspended by two cables, each at an angle of 74.0 degrees away from
vertical. How much tension force is in each cable?
5. A boat is being towed by two ropes down a canal that is directed due east. The rope on the
north side of the canal experiences 256 N of tension directed at 12 degrees north of east. The
rope on the south side experiences 350 N of tension directed at 25 degrees south of east. Find
the magnitude and direction of the resultant force.
6. What is the kinetic friction of a 4.5 kg box sliding across the floor if the coefficient of kinetic
friction is .66?
7. A force of 18.0 N is applied to a 3.60 kg box moving at a constant velocity up a ramp set at an
angle of 21.0 degrees above horizontal. Find the coefficient of friction acting on the box.
8. What is the acceleration acting on a 3.4 kg box that receives 15 N of push to the right and 7.8 N
of resistance force to the left?
9. A tree has three tension wires holding it in equilibrium. The first wire is directed north and has
55 N of tension. The second wire is directed east and has 34 N of tension. Where would you
place the third tension wire to maintain equilibrium? (hint: find the resultant force first)
10. A boy pulls a 4.5 kg cart with 81 N of force at an angle of 15 degrees above the sidewalk. Find
the normal force acting on the cart.