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brake4country
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Homework Statement
An engineer with mass 100 kg has designed an ideal mechanical advantage machine shown below. Platforms 1 and 2 are attached to the machine. When he steps on platform 1, platform 2 rises straight up. The maximum weight that he can lift using his machine in this manner is twice his own. The mechanical advantage of the machine cannot be adjusted. Platform 1 can be lowered a maximum of 10 m.
Question:
Assume mass m is twice the mass of the engineer and the engineer gives himself a push downwards to get moving. Including the push, the work done on the mass as platform 2 rises to its top height of 5 m will be equal to:
(A) the original potential energy of the engineer
(B) the final kinetic energy of the engineer
(C) the original potential energy of the engineer plus half of the final kinetic energy of the engineer
(D) the original potential energy of the engineer minus the final kinetic energy of the engineer.
Homework Equations
F = ma
The Attempt at a Solution
I have no idea how to approach this problem but it appears that there is a tradeoff between PE and KE.