Calculating Minimum Work for a Car on an Incline with Friction

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SUMMARY

The minimum work required to push a 1770 kg car up a 16.2-degree incline with a coefficient of friction of 0.25 is calculated using the formula for frictional force and gravitational force. The normal force (FN) is determined to be 16657 N, leading to a frictional force (Ff) of 4164.25 N. The gravitational force component acting down the incline is 4839 N. The total work done against both friction and gravity must be calculated by summing these forces and multiplying by the distance of 346 m.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with the concepts of friction and normal force
  • Knowledge of trigonometric functions related to angles
  • Ability to apply work-energy principles in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the total work done against friction and gravity using the formula W = (Ff + Fg) * d
  • Explore the effects of varying coefficients of friction on work calculations
  • Study the relationship between force, work, and energy in physics
  • Review dynamic friction equations and their applications in real-world scenarios
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Students in physics, particularly those studying mechanics, engineers working on automotive design, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of work and energy in inclined planes with friction.

coffeecake
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Homework Statement



What is the minimum work needed to push a 1770 kg car 346 m up a 16.2 deg incline?
Without friction, I got the the answer of 1670000 J.

What is the minimum work needed if the coefficient of friction is 0.25?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



Ff=µFN

FN = 17346 cos 16.2
FN = 16657 N
Ff = .25 * 16657 = 4164.25 N

then, sin16.2 * 17346 = 4839 N

add them? subtract? or is it all completely wrong?
 
Last edited:
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Hello coffeecake,

Try to at least give us your best effort on describing how you've thought through what the steps might be. We're not supposed to offer help unless you've shown that you've given the problem some effort. Things that might be useful in your response: What's the nature dynamic friction? How do you calculate the forces involved in dynamic friction. Can you think of any equations that relate force and work (force and energy)?
 

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