What Force is Needed to Move a 60 kg Patient from One Bed to Another?

What force will need to be applied to start sliding a 60 kg patient from rest in one bed to the next if the coefficient of static friction is 0.75?

The force required to start sliding a 60 kg patient from rest in one bed to the next can be determined by considering the coefficient of static friction. The formula to calculate frictional force is F = μN, where F is the force, μ is the coefficient of friction, and N is the normal force.

Calculating the Required Force

To determine the force needed, we first calculate the normal force by multiplying the mass of the patient (60 kg) by the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2): N = 60 kg × 9.8 m/s^2 = 588 N Substitute the values into the frictional force formula: F = 0.75 × 588 N = 441 N Therefore, a force of approximately 441 N would need to be applied to start sliding the patient from rest in one bed to the next.
← The impact of alcohol involvement in fatal collisions Maintaining hygiene practices as patients age →