Calculating constant velocity using work

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To determine the work required for a boy to pull a toboggan up a hill at a constant velocity, the forces acting on the toboggan must be analyzed using a free body diagram (FBD). The calculations involve accounting for gravitational force, friction, and the applied force from the boy. The acceleration should be zero since the velocity is constant, indicating that the net force must also equal zero. A mistake was identified in the initial calculations, as the applied force was not included in the force balance equation. Properly incorporating all forces will lead to the correct determination of the work needed.
anonymous12
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Homework Statement


A 25.6-kg boy pulls a 4.81-kg toboggan up a hill inclined at 25.7º to the horizontal. The vertical height of the hill is 27.3 m and the coefficient of friction of the hill surface is 0.4
a) Determine how much work the boy must apply on the toboggan to pull it at a constant velocity up the hill? (Hint: An FBD is needed to see all your forces acting on te toboggan)

Homework Equations


W = F x ∆d
Eg = mgh
Ek = 0.5mv^2
vf^2 - vi^2 = 2a∆d

The Attempt at a Solution



-mgsin25.7º - \mu Kmgcos25.7º = m * a
-(30.41 x 9.8 x sin 25.7º) - (.4 x 30.41 x 9.8 x cos 25.7) = 30.41 * a
-129.24 - 106.46 = 30.41a
a = -7.75 m/s^2Calculating length of the hill:

\frac{27.3}{sin25.7º} = 62.95m

I don't really know what to do after this.
 
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anonymous12 said:

Homework Statement


A 25.6-kg boy pulls a 4.81-kg toboggan up a hill inclined at 25.7º to the horizontal. The vertical height of the hill is 27.3 m and the coefficient of friction of the hill surface is 0.4
a) Determine how much work the boy must apply on the toboggan to pull it at a constant velocity up the hill? (Hint: An FBD is needed to see all your forces acting on te toboggan)

Homework Equations


W = F x ∆d
Eg = mgh
Ek = 0.5mv^2
vf^2 - vi^2 = 2a∆d

The Attempt at a Solution



-mgsin25.7º - \mu Kmgcos25.7º = m * a
-(30.41 x 9.8 x sin 25.7º) - (.4 x 30.41 x 9.8 x cos 25.7) = 30.41 * a
-129.24 - 106.46 = 30.41a
a = -7.75 m/s^2Calculating length of the hill:

\frac{27.3}{sin25.7º} = 62.95m

I don't really know what to do after this.

If the boy is pulling the toboggan up the hill at a constant speed, then what must the acceleration be equal to? Hint: your mistake was that you forgot one of the forces in the force balance equation: the applied force from the boy!
 
Last edited:
The reply above is spot on.

reconsider your acceleration and add the pulling force from the boy.
 
Ooooh thank you! I feel like an idiot now :(:
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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