Answer:
15.1 N
Explanation:
mass of block (m) = 4 kg
angle of inclination = 36 degrees
applied force (P) = 31 N
acceleration due to gravity (g) = 9.8 m/s^{2}
since the block is moving at a constant speed, it means the acceleration is 0 and therefore the summation of all the forces acting on the body is 0
therefore
P - f - mgsinθ = 0
where
when P = 31 N and the block is pushed upward
31 - f - (4 x 9.8 x sin 36) = 0
f = 7.96 N
now that we have the value of the frictional force we can find P required to lower the block, our equation becomes p + f - mgsinθ = 0 since the block is to be lowered
P + f - mgsinθ = 0
P = mgsinθ - f
P = (4 x 9.8 x sin 36) - 7.96 = 15.1 N