Greater Force= Greater Work; box up ramp

In summary, the conversation discusses the relationship between force, work, and friction in moving a heavy crate onto the bed of a truck using two different ramps. The steeper ramp requires more force to push the crate up, but taking friction into account, it actually requires less work. The angle of inclination that minimizes work is not related to the coefficient of kinetic friction, and the potential energy increase is the same regardless of the ramp's angle. It is also noted that the statement "greater angles means less frictional force" is incorrect and should be replaced with "less distance means less work due to frictional force".
  • #1
katysmith
2
0
Hi, this question seems pretty easy, but I was just wondering if I'm missing anything with my solutions.
Two ramps, one steeper than the other, are available to move a heavy crate from the ground onto the bed of a truck. In the absence of friction, it takes more force to push the crate up the steeper ramp. Does this mean it also takes more work to raise the crate onto the bed of the truck along the steeper ramp?
Yes, W=FD, greater F, means great W
Taking friction into account, which ramp requires less work for pushing the crate on the truck?
The steeper ramp, as the frictional force will be less. F=cosO*N*u; greater angles means less frictional force
What is the angle of inclination that minimizes the work, and how is it related to the coefficient of kinetic friction? It seems like the angle that would minimize the work, would be the angle with the least frictional force, but the least frictional force would occur when theta is 90 degrees, or directly vertical, and that doesn't make sense. The coefficient of kinetic friction is not connected to the angle
 
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  • #2
I think you got the last 2 correct, but the first one is wrong if there is no friction. Have you learned about how to calculate the change in gravitational potential energy PE yet?
 
  • #3
As for your first question, ask yourself this:
Is there any difference between the potential energy increase of the crate in the steep case vs. the not-so steep case?

Arggh, Berkeman is even faster than Lucky Luke..
 
  • #4
"greater angles means less frictional force"

this is utterly false.

"Less distance means less work due to frictional force" is the correct expression.
Do you see the difference?
 

1. How does increasing force affect the amount of work done on a ramp?

Increasing force on a ramp will result in an increase in the amount of work done. This is because work is defined as the product of force and displacement, and as force increases, so does the amount of energy applied to move an object up a ramp.

2. Is there a limit to how much force can be applied on a ramp before it becomes too difficult to move an object?

Yes, there is a limit to how much force can be applied on a ramp. This is because the ramp will eventually become too steep for an object to be moved without slipping or rolling back down. This limit is dependent on the weight and friction of the object, as well as the angle of the ramp.

3. How does the angle of the ramp affect the relationship between force and work?

The angle of the ramp affects the relationship between force and work by changing the amount of force required to move an object up the ramp. As the angle increases, the amount of force required also increases, resulting in a greater amount of work being done.

4. Can the amount of work done on a ramp be decreased by decreasing the force applied?

Yes, the amount of work done on a ramp can be decreased by decreasing the force applied. This is because work is directly proportional to force, so as force decreases, the amount of work required to move an object up a ramp also decreases.

5. How does friction affect the relationship between force and work on a ramp?

Friction plays a role in the relationship between force and work on a ramp. It acts in the opposite direction of the applied force, making it more difficult to move an object up the ramp. This means that a greater amount of force is required to overcome friction and perform work on a ramp.

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