In this question use g=9.8 m s−2g = 9.8 \text{ m s}^{-2}g=9.8 m s−2.
A museum curator attempts to reposition a bronze sculpture of mass 40 kg40 \text{ kg}40 kg across a rough horizontal gallery floor. The coefficient of friction between the sculpture and the floor is 0.550.550.55.
The curator first tries to push the sculpture with a horizontal force of 210 N210 \text{ N}210 N. Show that the sculpture does not move.
The curator then attaches a harness and pulls the sculpture. The harness acts at an angle of 25∘25^\circ25∘ above the horizontal. The curator exerts a tension of 210 N210 \text{ N}210 N in the harness. Determine whether the sculpture remains stationary under these conditions. Justify your answer with calculations.
139 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Maths 3.3 R: Forces and Newton's laws, covering 3.3.1 Concept of a force and Newton's first law, 3.3.2 Newton's second law, 3.3.3 Weight and motion under gravity, 3.3.4 Newton's third law and equilibrium, 3.3.5 Addition of forces and resultants (A-level only), and 3.3.6 Friction (A-level only). Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.