Declaration

By signing this I declare the following:

All the work reported in this analytic project is my own, and that I did not communicate
with anyone besides my classmate (positive discussion) in regards to the content of this
project.
I may have used the course book, a book on mathematical formulas (including those for
differentiation and integration), and my own class notes to consult appropriate
information, but not any other sources (like internet, people outside the class, etc.), and
all other work reported here, like calculation, figures and text, is my own.

My Signature: ___________________________________

My Name: Aksharkumar Patel

Department of Mechanical Engineering

California State University, Los Angeles

Project 1 (Analytic work)

PROJECT ON A SLIDING BOX
ME 409 (Mechanical Engineering Analysis)

Aksharkumar Patel

Department of Mechanical Engineering

California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, 90032

For: Dr. Arturo Pacheco-Vega

October 24, 2014

1. Abstract

A box of mass m slides down an inclined plane that make an angle with the horizontal,
with help of differential equation for the velocity v(t) of the box at time t, we have tried
to solve some cases. We have tried to figure out the outcomes with cases such as, when
the box experiences neither friction nor air resistance, when box experiences just friction
but no air resistance and, when box experiences no friction but air resistance.
2. Introduction

The figure is helpful to understand the situation, as well as it also provides such vital
information as the height of slope is 50 ft (15.24 m)

Figure 1: box sliding down on an inclined plane

Every element which is placed on an inclined plane or a slope experiences some sort of
resistance to its free fall. The box experiences both frictional force and air resistance to it.

3. Derivation of Differential equation

3.1 case 1: No sliding friction and no air resistance

It is a case when box doesnt experience either sliding friction or air resistance, so here
we can find the components of forces experienced by box with help of figure.

mg

Figure 2: box sliding over inclined plane without friction or air resistance
Here, we know that, the box slides down without any resistance so that,

F = m*a = mg sin (application of newtons second law)

Here, a = dv(t)/dt ;
m*(dv/dt) = mg sin
dv/dt = g sin
dv = g sin *dt
Integrating both side
v = g sin t + C
.eq.(1)
3.2 case 2: sliding box experiencing no air resistance but the frictional force

We already know that, Frictional force ; F =N

Where F is the frictional force,
is the co-efficient of friction,
And, N is the normal force experienced by the box

mg

Figure 3: box experiences friction while sliding over the slope

F = m*a = mg sin - N
m*(dv/dt) = mg sin - N
m*dv =(mg sin - N)dt
m*v = mg sin*t - Nt + c*
v(t) = g sin *t (Nt/m) + C

.eq.(2)

3.3 case 3: when box experiences only air resistance but not frictional force:

mg

Figure 4: Box experiences only air resistance but not friction force
Lets assume that, resistance of air is proportional to velocity,
R v(t)
R = k v(t)

F =m*a = mgsin - R
F =m*a = mgsin - kv
m*(dv/dt) = mg sin - kv
m dv = mg sin dt kv dt
m dv/v = (mg/v) sin dt k dt
v = (mg sin)/k + c e-kt/m
v(t) = mg sin / k + c e-kt/m
.eq.(3)

4. Computing different cases:

4.a : in cases (2) and (3), use the fact that the force of friction opposing the motion of the
box is N, where is the coefficient of sliding friction and N is the normal component of the
weight of the box. In case (3) assume that air resistance is proportional to the
instantaneous velocity.

We have already figured it out with the derivation of differential equation of case 3.2 and
case 3.3 where we have found the results :
For case 3.2: when the sliding box experiences just frictional force but not the air resistance:
v(t) = g sin *t (Nt/m) + C
For case 3.3: when the sliding box experiences only air resistance but not the frictional force
General Solution : v(t) = mg sin / k + c e-kt/m
4.b: In part(a), suppose that the box weighs 96 pounds, that the angle of inclination of the plane is =

300 , that the coefficient of sliding friction is = , and that the additional retarding force due to air
resistance is numerically equals to ( ) . Solve the differential equation in each of the three cases,
assuming that box starts from rest from the highest point 50 ft above ground.

Given data, weight (m) = 96 pounds = 43.5449 kg

Highest point (h) = 50 ft = 15.24 m
= 300
N (normal force) = mg cos = 43.5449 * 9.8 * cos30 = 369.567 N
= 3/4 = 0.433
4.b.1 Computing case 1. When box slides down the slope without experiencing either
frictional force or air resistance.

v = g sin t + C

When t =0, v = v0 = 0 ; C = 0 ;
v (t) = g sin *t
But here, y (t) = h/sin = 15.24/sin30 = 30.48 m
Here, ma = mg sin
Dv/dt = 9.8 /2 = 4.9
Integrating the equation
V(t) = 4.9t + C1
V(0) = 4.9(0) + C1
C1 = 0
V(t) = 4.9t . Eq(4)
4.b.2 computing case 2. When box slides down the slope experiencing only friction.

Equation can be written as of derived equation. #2

v(t) = g sin *t (Nt/m) + C
When, t =0, v(0) = 0, C = 0
v(t) = g sin*t - Nt/m
v(t) = 4.9t 3.67t
v(t) = 1.225t ..eq(5)
4.b.3 computing case 3. When box slides down the slope experiencing only air resistance.

Equation can be written as of derived equation. #2

v(t) = mg sin / k + c e-kt/m
when, t = 0, v(0) =0 = mg sin / k + c ;
so, c = -mg sin/ k
v(t) = (mg sin)/k (mg sin/k) * e-kt/m ;
v(t) = (mg sin/k) (1- e-kt/m )
v(t) = 853.48 (1-e-0.0057t) .eq(6)

4.C: Let s(t) be the distance measured down the inclined plane from the highest point. Use ds/dt=v(t)
and the solution of each of the three cases in part (b) to find the time that takes the box to slide
completely down the inclined plane.
4.c.1 : Computing case 1. When box slides down the slope without experiencing either
frictional force or air resistance.

We have already obtained the value for s(t), we presumed that as y(t) which is
s(t)= 30.48 m, v(t) = 4.9t (derived from eq.4)
Here, v(t) = ds/dt ; s(t) = v(t) * t + C
But when t = 0, v(0) = 0, s(0) = 0; C = 0
S(t)= v(t) * t
30.48 = 4.9 t2
t2 = 6.22
t = 2.494 s
4.c.2 computing case 2. When box slides down the slope experiencing only friction.

We have got, s(t) = 30.48 m, v(t) = 1.225t (derived from eq.5)

S(t) = 1.225t2
30.48 = 1.225 t2
t2 = 24.88
t = 4.988 s
4.c.3 computing case 3. When box slides down the slope experiencing only air resistance.

We have got, v(t) = 853.48 (1-e-0.0057t)

from eq. 6 and s(t) = 30.48 m

S(t) = 853.48t + 149733 e-0.0057t + C

Where, s(0) = 149733 +C = 0
C = -149733
S(t) = 853.48t + 149733 e-0.0057t - 149733 = 30.48

Assuming 0 < e-0.0057t < 1 , taking its value as 0.95

853.48t 7486.65 = 30.48
853.48t = 7517.13
t = 8.807 s
4.D: In the case in which there is friction (0) but air resistance, explain why the box will not slide
down the plane starting from rest from the highest point above ground when the inclination angle
satisfies tan

If box has friction with surface then,

We already have derived the equation (2) from, F = m*a = mg sin - N
Where, N= mg cos
m*a = mg sin - mg cos
a = g sin - g cos eq.7
v = g sin t- g cos t
if = tan or if > tan
Lets say that = tan,
v = g sin t tan g cos t
v = g sin t g sin t = 0 ..
as velocity is already zero, obviously that explain it all that the box is not moving when will
be tan, and if will be greater than tan, v would be negative. So velocity would not be in the
direction of slope, which is not practical either. So here under both circumstances our answer
remains same that box doesnt slide.
4.E The box will slide down the plane when tan

Suppose that =

and = 23. Verify that tan

if it is given an initial velocity v(0)=v0 > 0.

. How far will the box slide down the plane if v(0) =

1 ft/s ?

We already have the equation from above problem..

a = g sin - g cos (from eq.7)
v = g sin t- g cos t + C
v(0)

Constant C carries some positive value,

So even if = tan or if > tan
But , V(0) > 0
So due to having positive velocity, box will slide down to the inclined plane
If v(0) = 1 ft/s
C=1;
S(t) = g sin t2 - g cos t2 + Ct
But, tan = tan 23 = 0.4245, = 0.433
Tan < ;
Dv/dt = g sin - g cos
Dv/dt = 3.829 3.906 = -0.0769
V = -0.0769 t + c

. Eq. 8

V = -0.0769 t + 1
But v(0) = 0,
-0.0769t = -1
T = 1/.0769
T = 13 s

4.F: Using the values =

and = 23, appropriate the smallest initial velocity v0 can be given to the

box so that, starting at highest point 50 ft above ground, it will slide completely down the inclined
plane. Then find the corresponding time it takes to slide down the plane.

We have already obtained the equation for given values

V = -0.0769t + c (eq.8)
Taking c as v0
But, s(t) = -0.0769 t2 + v0t
But s(t) = h / sin 23 = 127.965 ft
127.965 = -0.0769 t2 + v0t

0.0769 t2 - v0t + 127.965 = 0 . Eq.9

Roots =

But here we get exact solution so that,

V02 = 4ac
V0 = 2 * 3.1369
V0 = 6.274 ft/s
But when the box reaches the end, at time t, retrieving eq.9
0.0769t2 6.274 t + 127.965 = 0
Roots =

Roots = (6.274

) /2

Roots = 3.137
= 3.1531, = 3.15086
Both roots have nominal difference so lets say that final time taken is 3.1531 seconds.
So if V0 > 6.274 ft/s then we can guarantee that the box will slide down the inclined
plane.
5. Results

Fastest time achieved for box to slide over: t =2.494 sec

Longest time taken by box to slide over the inclined plane: t = 8.807 sec (under the same
circumstances)

6. Conclusion

Box slides at its best when there are least resistance forces exerted on it. Frictional force is
force which varies with gradient of slope as well as the weight of box, whereas the air
resistance is directly proportional to the velocity of box with respect to time. The box took
least time to reach the end of inclined plane whilst sliding without any resisting forces where
as it took the most when it slid with air resistance. To sum up all points we can say that,
gradient of inclined plane or slope is as important as the mass of box for its free sliding over
inclined plane.

7. References:

Advanced Engineering Mathematics 5th edition from Dennis G. Zill & Warner S. Wright
Advanced Engineering Mathematics 10th edition from Erwin Kreyszig