Calculating Power Needed to Push a Box Across a Floor with Friction

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the power required to push a 67 kg box across a floor with a coefficient of friction (Kfriction) of 0.55 at a speed of 0.5 m/s. The power (P) can be determined using the formula P = μ_s * m * g * v, where μ_s is the coefficient of static friction, m is the mass of the box, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and v is the velocity. The solution confirms that the change in momentum term is zero under constant force assumptions, simplifying the calculation of power to the product of frictional force and velocity.

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  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with the concepts of friction and coefficients of friction
  • Basic knowledge of power calculations in physics
  • Ability to manipulate equations involving force, mass, and acceleration
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  • Study the derivation of the power formula P = F * v in physics
  • Learn about different types of friction: static, kinetic, and rolling
  • Explore the impact of varying coefficients of friction on power calculations
  • Investigate real-world applications of friction in mechanical systems
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This discussion is beneficial for physics students, engineers, and anyone involved in mechanical design or analysis, particularly those interested in the effects of friction on motion and power requirements.

lailanni
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I've been trying this for an hour, please have mercy and help!

You push a 67 kg box across a floor where the coef. Kfriction is .55. The force you exert is horizontal. How much power is needed to push the box at a speed of .5m/s?

I've tried w=Ki-Wnc, but I guess that isn't it.

Thank you!
 
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To solve this problem sum the forces in the x and y directions. You should get
F_{x} = \frac{dp}{dt} + f_{s} and F_{y} = N= m g...(1)
calling this eq (1). So we may write from eq (1)
f_{s} = \mu_{s} m g ...(2)
Now we wish to know the power, which we may relate to the force exerted by the equation
P= F v ...(3)
So substitute eq (2) and eq (1) into eq (3), with the numerical values given in the problem. Note that the quantity
\frac{dp}{dt}
is the change in momentum with respect to time, if the force is a constant force (which I am assuming it is) this term is zero, which yields the result for eq (3) is
P = \mu_{s} m g v
which are all numerical values in problem statement. I hope this helps.
sincerely, x
 
Work done = force x distance.
The force in this case is [itex]F = \mu R[/itex] where [itex]\mu[/itex] is the coefficient of friction.
Let the distance moved be 0.5m.
Power is [itex]\frac{workdone}{time}[/itex], the speed is 0.5m/s, therefore the time is 1 and in this case, power = workdone.
 

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