Formula

[simmer_27]

I was just wondering if anyone could help me out with this homework. You have to derive a formula to figure out the work needed to push a mass up an inclined plane. All you know is the gravitational potential energy, the coeffieciant of friction, and the angle. Your supposed to start out with W=Fd.
All I have so far is W=(umgcosfeta+mgsinfeta)(d). I'm not sure how to get "d", if anyone could help me out I'd really appreciate it. I'm guessing you have to make the masses cancel out somehow too.

[Physik]

Just divide both sides by umgcosfeta+mgsinfeta

So W/umgcosfeta+mgsinfeta= d

[simmer_27]

well you dont know "d" so that formula won't work?

[Astronuc]

'd' is the independent variable, and 'W' is the dependent variable.

You solved the problem, and you have a formula for 'W' as a function of 'd'.

[simmer_27]

you don't know "d", you can't have W=something d. u can only have one variable at the end

[rayveldkamp]

Leave W as a function of the angle and d...if u have the change in the gravitational potential energy, then u can work out the final height. So in the triangle d is the hypotenuse, h is the opposite side and hence d can be expressed as

d=h/sin(theta)
Substitute that into your work equation, however from what you wrote, the question only wants an expression for the work done, so it can be left in terms of d.

[simmer_27]

could W=ucosfetaE+E work?