A cubical block rests on an inclined board with two sides parallel to the incline. The coefficient of static friction between block and board is \(0.95 .\) If the inclination angle of the board is increased, will the block first slide or first tip over?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The block will start sliding before it tips over when the angle of inclination is increased.

Step by step solution

01

Find the angle at which sliding starts

The friction force must be equal to the component of the weight along the incline for the block to start sliding. Using \( \mu = \frac{F_f}{F_n} \), where \( F_f \) is the friction force, \( F_n \) is the normal force and \( \mu \) is the coefficient of friction, we can find the critical angle \( \theta_s \) for sliding using \( \mu = \tan \theta_s \). Therefore, \( \theta_s = \arctan(\mu) \). With \( \mu = 0.95 \), we find \( \theta_s = \arctan(0.95) \).
02

Find the angle at which tipping starts

Now, for tipping to occur the line of action of the gravitational force must pass through an edge rather than the center of the base. The block will start tipping over when the perpendicular distance from the center of mass to the edge of the base is equal to half the length of the diagonal of the square base. Using the geometric relation, we find the critical angle for tipping, \( \theta_t \), as \( \theta_t = \arctan(\sqrt{2}) \).
03

Compare the critical angles

The next step is to compare these two angles to see if the block will slide or tip over first. Since \( \arctan(\sqrt{2}) \) is greater than \( \arctan(0.95) \), the block will start sliding before it tips over.

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