A damp washcloth is hung over the edge of a table to dry. Thus, part (mass = mon

Question

A damp washcloth is hung over the edge of a table to dry. Thus, part (mass = mon) of the washcloth rests on the table and part (mass = moff) does not. The coefficient of static friction between the table and the washcloth is 0.542. Determine the maximum fraction [moff/mtotal] that can hang over the edge without causing the whole washcloth to slide off the table.

I'm not sure how to go about this problem. I think I'm supposed to use f = uF (where f=frictional force, u=coefficient of static friction, and F=normal force), but I don't know how to get the values for the mass.

And after I solve for f, am I done or are there more steps?

Thank you!

Explanation / Answer

Assuming static equilibrium, we have

Fr = moff g

N = mon g

The maximum friction is then

Fr max = us mon g

thus

us mon g = moff g

solving for moff

moff = us mon

The fraction is then

moff/(mon + moff) = us / (us + 1) = 0.542 / 1.375 = 0.39

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