The two blocks (m = 37 kg and M = 109 kg) in the figure below are not attached to each other. The coefficient of static friction between the blocks is µs = 0.55, but the surface beneath the larger block is frictionless. What is the minimum magnitude of the horizontal force vector F required to keep the smaller block from slipping down the larger block?

Question

The two blocks (m = 37 kg and M = 109 kg) in the figure below are not attached to each other. The coefficient of static friction between the blocks is µs = 0.55, but the surface beneath the larger block is frictionless. What is the minimum magnitude of the horizontal force vector F  required to keep the smaller block from slipping down the larger block?
__________ N

MathMate · Answer

Can you please describe the figure? Are the blocks one on top of the other, are they on an incline plane, at what point is the force to be applied (the small block, the large block)? etc.