Physics

Problem

A uniform rectangular block of mass

20\,\text{kg}

has width

b = 60\,\text{cm}

and height

h = 80\,\text{cm}

. It rests on a rough horizontal floor. A horizontal force

F

is applied to the block at a height

H = 60\,\text{cm}

from the ground. The coefficient of static friction between the block and the floor is

0.4

. Determine whether the block will slide or topple first as the magnitude of

F

is gradually increased from zero, and find the magnitude of

F

at which this instability occurs. (Take

g = 10\,\text{m/s}^{2}

)