Power to life a piano question

netone

Power to lift* a piano

A piano of mass 200 kg is lifted vertically by a 0.5 hp motor. Given that 746 watt = 1 hp,
how long will it take the motor to lift the piano to an apartment that is 20 m above the
ground?

Not really sure how to start this question, so any explanation would be greatly appreciated.

Kabbotta

1 watt = 1 joule of energy / 1 second

And has you lift the piano you are doing work ( in Joules ) to raise the piano against the Earth's gravity so now you have a connection between time ( what you are looking for ) and the energy involved in lifting the piano.

A free body diagram might help you as well to visualize. (i.e. draw a picture including ALL of the forces acting on the piano). Have fun!

netone

ooh ok, I didn't realize that 1 watt = 1 joule per second, that helped out quite a bit. Thanks so much for the response!