Calculating Force and Work of Man Pushing Piano

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The discussion focuses on calculating the forces and work involved when a 255 kg piano slides down a 30° incline, with a man exerting force to prevent acceleration. The calculated force exerted by the man is 383.8 N, and the work done by him is -1764.6 J. The work done by friction was miscalculated as 3982.12 J, which should be negative due to the direction of friction opposing the motion. The work done by gravity was incorrectly calculated as 11495.4 J, requiring the use of the force component parallel to the displacement for accuracy.

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crisicola
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Hi, this my first time asking a question, so here it goes:
A 255 kg piano slides 4.6 m down a 30° incline and is kept from accelerating by a man who is pushing back on it parallel to the incline (Fig. 6-35). The effective coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.40.

6_35.gif


(a) Calculate the force exerted by the man.
So far, I have this answer, by subtracting the Fparallel(mg*sin(30)) by Ffriction(mu*mg*cos(30)). [383.8 N]

(b) Calculate the work done by the man on the piano.
Got this answer, too, by multiplying the answer above by 4.6m. [-1764.6 J]

It's the next parts I got wrong.
(c) Calculate the work done by the friction force.
I figured Ffriction = mu * m * g * cos(30) = 865.7 * d = 3982.12 J, but that doesn't make sense. [?J]

(d) What is the work done by the force of gravity?
9.8 m/s^2 * 255g * 4.6m = 11495.4, it's incorrect [?J]

(e) What is the net work done on the piano?
This one I had no idea how to do altogether. J

Please help me out, thank you in advance! :smile:
 
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crisicola said:
It's the next parts I got wrong.
(c) Calculate the work done by the friction force.
I figured Ffriction = mu * m * g * cos(30) = 865.7 * d = 3982.12 J, but that doesn't make sense. [?J]
This is OK except for the sign. Since the friction points up the ramp, while the piano slides down the ramp, the work done is negative.

(d) What is the work done by the force of gravity?
9.8 m/s^2 * 255g * 4.6m = 11495.4, it's incorrect [?J]
When calculating work, you must use the component of the force parallel to the displacement.

(e) What is the net work done on the piano?
This one I had no idea how to do altogether. J
What's the net force on the piano?
 

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