Calculate Work on 8kg Block: Kinetic Energy Method

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the work done on an 8 kg block using kinetic energy methods. The scenario involves a system with two blocks connected by a rope over a frictionless pulley, where the 8 kg block experiences kinetic friction on a tabletop.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the forces acting on the blocks, including friction and gravity, and how these relate to the work done on the 8 kg block. Questions arise about the calculations of frictional force and its impact on the system's energy. Some participants explore the relationship between the forces exerted by the blocks and the resulting acceleration.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the forces involved and the energy changes in the system. There are multiple interpretations of how to approach the problem, particularly regarding the calculations of work and energy. Some guidance has been offered regarding the equations for work and energy, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the coefficient of kinetic friction and the initial conditions of the blocks, which are released from rest. There is some confusion regarding the forces exerted by the blocks and how they affect the calculations of work and energy.

ledhead86
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work, kinetic energy, (fixed pic)

Consider the system shown in the figure. The rope and pulley have negligible mass, and the pulley is frictionless. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the 8.00-kg block and the tabletop is m_k=.25 . The blocks are released from rest.
http://www.geocities.com/mmaddoxwku/techie.html"
Use energy methods to calculate the speed of the 6.00-kg block after it has descended 1.50 m.
How do i calculate work on the 8kg block.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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You know the distance that it moved, now you just need the total force (friction,gravity)
 
Work of friction force equals F*S, where F is a friction force - F=k*N=k*mg, S - a shift. N - is a supporting force. Two forces: N and mg (gravity) force on upper block in vertical direction. Acceleration in this direction equals zero, therefore N=mg.
If rope is non-streched, the shift of upper block equals S=1.5m too.
 
The work of friction force acting on the upper mass is equal to the amplitude of the force dot the distance that the force has acted on an object so it will be equal to (mg).(m_k).(s) which will be 8g * 0.25 * 1.5 =3g
In the other hand, friction is a kind of Non-Conservative force, and its work will be equal to the change of total energy of the system.
If you consider the initial condition to zero state you will have to calculate only the total energy of the final condition. (E2)
Remember that the velocity of two mass is equal (because the rope is not stretched)
E2=K.E2 + P.E2 =1/2(M1*V*V) + 1/2(M2*V*V) –(M2)*g*h
E2=7*V*V-6*g*1.5
Therefore -3g = 7*V*V-9g and finally V=Sqr (6g/7)=2.9 m/s
 
Last edited:
dang...

ledhead86 said:
Consider the system shown in the figure. The rope and pulley have negligible mass, and the pulley is frictionless. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the 8.00-kg block and the tabletop is m_k=.25 . The blocks are released from rest.
http://www.geocities.com/mmaddoxwku/techie.html"
Use energy methods to calculate the speed of the 6.00-kg block after it has descended 1.50 m.
How do i calculate work on the 8kg block.

this part always confuses me... what force does the 6kg mass exert on the rope? if the coefficient of static friction of the 8kg block is 0.25, when it's moving, it'll pull "back" with how much "force," is it? if it were 8*.25, that would be 2 to the left, and the 6 is pulling down with 6, or pulling the 8kg mass to the right with 6. that's a net 4 to the right.

energy change = change in potential energy of the 6kg weight, right? 6*1.5*[some factor?... that's the part i have problem with...]

f=m*a. total of 14kg, net f=2 whatevers. => acceleration.

hmmmm...
nah, that probably doesn't help, does it?

:)))
+af
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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