Please help with this magnet physics problem

Question

On the internet, I came across an interesting physics problem. Can you help with this:

The weight of a small, flat refrigerator magnet is "M". We place the magnet on the refrigerator's vertical side, then start pulling it in some direction in a vertical plane perpendicular to the metal plate. The smallest force with which we can move the magnet vertically downwards is F1 and upwards is F2

Questions:

When not pulled anywhere, how much pulling force does the metal plate exert on the magnet?

What is the coefficient of friction between the magnet and the side of the refrigerator?

I tried like this:

I started with pulling downwards first. Because I pull the magnet in a plane perpendicular to the surface, at an α angle, and this is where the frictional force is created. this will act upwards on the surface of the refrigerator. And vertically downwards, the gravitational force acts on the magnet (mg=M). Since we can move the magnet F1+M>S1 (S1...friction). At the base of the α angle ---> cos(α)=M/F1. However, I don't get results for α this way.

We know M=0.10 N, F1=0.06 N and F2=0.25 N.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hello there!

You did very well on your problem solving process, however you just had your hypotenuse and opposite side flipped. Continue the good work and I think you'll be well on your way. I prepared a video to help you work through this problem, just in case.

Feel free to respond if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Landon