Step 1: Understanding the Question:
A uniform chain has a fraction of its length on a rough table.
As it slips off completely, the normal force on the table decreases, changing the friction force.
We need to calculate the work done by this variable friction force.
Step 2: Key Formula and Approach:
Let $x$ be the length of the chain remaining on the table at any instant.
Mass per unit length is $\lambda = \frac{M}{L}$.
The mass on the table is $m(x) = \lambda x$.
The variable friction force is:
\[ f = \mu N = \mu m(x) g = \mu \frac{M}{L} x g \]
The incremental work done by friction as the chain slides by an amount $dy$ (where $x$ decreases by $dy$, so $dx = -dy$) is $dW = -f dy$.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
• Formulate the integral:
Let $y$ be the distance the chain has slipped.
The length of the chain on the table is:
\[ x = \frac{2}{3}L - y \]
The friction force at this position is:
\[ f(y) = \mu \frac{Mg}{L} \left(\frac{2}{3}L - y\right) \]
• Integrate to find total work:
The limits of integration for $y$ are from $0$ to $\frac{2}{3}L$:
\[ W = -\int_{0}^{\frac{2}{3}L} f(y) dy = -\mu \frac{Mg}{L} \int_{0}^{\frac{2}{3}L} \left(\frac{2}{3}L - y\right) dy \]
Evaluate the integral:
\[ \int_{0}^{\frac{2}{3}L} \left(\frac{2}{3}L - y\right) dy = \left[ \frac{2}{3}L y - \frac{y^2}{2} \right]_{0}^{\frac{2}{3}L} \]
\[ = \frac{2}{3}L \left(\frac{2}{3}L\right) - \frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{4}{9}L^2\right) = \frac{4}{9}L^2 - \frac{2}{9}L^2 = \frac{2}{9}L^2 \]
• Multiply by constants:
\[ W = -\mu \frac{Mg}{L} \left(\frac{2}{9}L^2\right) = -\frac{2}{9} \mu MgL \]
Step 4: Final Answer:
The work done by friction is $-\frac{2}{9} \mu MgL$, which corresponds to Option (A).