Calculating Power Requirements for an Escalator

[Le_Anthony]

Homework Statement

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?

 

[gneill]

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.

 

[Le_Anthony]

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!