Calculating Power Requirements for an Escalator

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the power requirements for an escalator, specifically determining the power needed to lift 20 individuals, each weighing 60 kg, over a height of 5 meters. The calculated weight of the group is 11760N, leading to a force component of 5880N along a 30-degree incline. The work done is 58800J, resulting in a power requirement of 980 watts. An alternative method using conservation of energy is suggested, which simplifies the calculations by directly considering the change in gravitational potential energy.

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Homework Statement


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Homework Equations


W=Fx*d
P=W/Δt

The Attempt at a Solution


Shot in the dark but, 20 people with 60 kg mass=1200kg total mass. Weight=1200kg*9.8m/s^2=11760N. Force component along the incline is 11760N*sin(30)=5880N. Work=5880N* 10m=58800J.(The 10m was found from trig function of the angle 30). Power=58800J/60sec=980W.

Answer is 980 watts?
 
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Hi Le_Anthony. You're solution looks fine.

You could also have gone with a conservation of energy approach, finding the change in gravitational potential energy for the 20 people being raised 5 m, thus skipping the force calculations.
 
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gneill said:
Hi Le_Anthony. You're solution looks fine.

You could also have gone with a conservation of energy approach, finding the change in gravitational potential energy for the 20 people being raised 5 m, thus skipping the force calculations.

Ahhhh i see. That saves a lot of time actually. I will do that on my test this friday. Thanks!
 

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