Calculating Required Force for Pushing a Block on an Inclined Ramp

[jolee'11]

HELP! FORCE with RAMP!

Homework Statement

What force is required to push a 870kg block up an 80m ramp at a constant speed. The block has a coefficient of sliding friction of .32 with the ramp, and angle of 16 degrees from the ground.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

F=(.32)+((870)(9.81)(sin(16))?

 

[Schr0d1ng3r]

Well, first you should realize that your units don't match up. You can only add similar units, and they should be the same as the units on the other side of the equal sign. Try rearranging your variables to give units of kg*m/s^2. Currently, you are attempting to add a unit-less coefficient to something with units of kg*m/s^2.

 

[Schr0d1ng3r]

If you get stuck again, let me know, and don't forget to use Newton's second law for a system in equilibrium (sigma)F = 0