Question icon
Grade 12th passMechanics

Sir in man and plank type problems in centre of mass there is a line that the the net force in horizontal direction is zero. Plz explain this.

Profile image of Satya Brata 432
8 Years agoGrade 12th pass
Answers icon

1 Answer

Profile image of KC
8 Years ago
Assume (plank + man) as one system. The force of friction between them becomes an internal force as we assume them to be part of the same system. Also, other forces like weight and normal reaction are in the vertical direction. So if the plank is kept on a frictionless surface, the net external horizontal force acting on (plank + man) system is zero.