Calc Push Force Req'd to Move 13g Steel Block on Steel Table

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the work required to push a 13 kg steel block across a steel table at a steady speed, the friction force must first be determined. The kinetic friction force is calculated using the formula F_friction = coefficient of friction * normal force, resulting in 76.44 N. Since the block moves at a constant velocity, the net force (F_net) is zero, indicating that the pushing force (F_push) equals the friction force. The distance moved is found by multiplying speed by time, yielding 10.56 m. Therefore, the total work done is calculated as 807.2 Joules.
bjbaldwi
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How much work must you do to push a 13g block of steel across a steel table(coefficent of friction=.6) at a steady speed of 1.2 for 8.8 ?

I know that Work=Force*Distance

i know what the D is but i don't know how to calculate the force.
i tried F=MA and got Fnet= Force pushed -Friction force
i really have no i dea tho. I need help please.
 
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bjbaldwi said:
i tried F=MA and got Fnet= Force pushed -Friction force
Hint: What does 'steady speed' tell you about the net force?

How do you calculate the friction force?
 


Steady speed says the friction is constant and friction force is kinetic friction*normal force or Fk*mg mg= normal force i think
 


OK, good. But what does Fnet equal? (What's the acceleration of the block?)
 


sorry its 13 kg 1.2 m/s and 8.8 s
 


the acceleration is zero because it is a constant velocity
 


bjbaldwi said:
the acceleration is zero because it is a constant velocity
Good. So what's Fnet? And what does that tell you about Fpush?
 


Fnet is equal to zero since the acc. is zero. F push is equal to friction force?
 


bjbaldwi said:
Fnet is equal to zero since the acc. is zero. F push is equal to friction force?
Exactly! You should be able to calculate the work now.
 
  • #10


Fpush is equal to 0 and f net is equal to friction force

so Fnet=Fpush+Ffriction
Fpush=0
Fnet=Ffriction
Ffriction=Fnet =(.6)mg---->.6*13*9.8=76.44
so
Work=Fnet*D
D = 1.2m/s*8.8s---->10.56 m
so
76.44*10.56=807.2 J
 
  • #11


Thanks for all your help : )
 
  • #12


bjbaldwi said:
Fpush is equal to 0 and f net is equal to friction force
No, you had it right before. Fnet = 0 so Fpush = Ffriction.

so Fnet=Fpush+Ffriction
Fpush=0
Fnet=Ffriction
No, but that doesn't affect your calculation, which is correct.

It's the force Fpush that is doing the work.
 
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